From "The Acorn" - February 1948

The last week of Christmas term was crowded with pleasurable events. Monday evening the children of classes 6 and 7 had their Christmas Tree Party. Tuesday, classes 5 and 4 enjoyed themselves in a similar manner. Wednesday evening the Senior School Party was thoroughly enjoyed with old and modern dances and games. Thursday afternoon the whole School was entertained with a variety concert given chiefly by Class 6 pupils, but assisted by a few from each of the other classes.

This was the first concert of its kind given by the present pupils. The stand­ard of performance was very good, par­ticularly when it must be remembered that most of the rehearsing was done in spare time. The training and organising was largely due to the children's own efforts with a last few days polishing up done by Mr. Cable.

The variety of items contributed greatly to the sustained interest of the audience just as much as the enthusiasm of the players themselves. Both playlets were well done by the players. Their imagina­tion and initiative managed to overcome, to a certain extent, the problem of costumes and properties. Both comedies produced hearty laughter from the audience.

The singing, dancing, piano playing and monologues were all well done and en­joyable. The delightful carol “Silent Night " and the well-known song " Bless this House " were sung by the final chorus in which the whole cast took part and was exceedingly well given.

Not all of the pupils in this 1949 photo were involved in the concert but several of their names also appear in the programme: Back row: June Coleman, John Lack, Gay Robertson, Bruce Hodgkinson, Peggy Blanford, Liam Coleman, Jean Austin, Bobby Rose,Pamela Hawkins, Pauline Hawkins, Sydney Coleman, Betty Chapman, Jean Twelvetree,. Front row: Margaret Strudwick, Shirley Eady, Patsy Loake, Sheila Moisey, Brenda Roberts, Mr. Cable, Joan Bray, Joan Morgan, Shirley Farrow, Dorothy Ramsbottom, Shirley Buckby.

PROGRAMME,

1. Opening Chorus

Song and dance ... “I Believe "

Gay Robertson (Troupe Leader)

Marlene Johnson

Shirley Eady

Margaret Mould

Betty Arnold

Jill Keightly

Eunice Bray

Jean Skinner

Jean Drage

2. Pianoforte Solo :

“Anniversary Song”, “Come back to Sorrento“ ... Sidney Coleman

3. Monologue ... " Mimetic Morsel " ... Janet Northern.

4. Duets

Song and Dance “Anchor’s Away ", “Little Dutch Boy " ... Gay Robertson, Shirley Eady.

5.    Ballet    “Spring Song "... Mendelssohn

Jean Coleman (Leader)

Carol Jennings

Daphne Chester

Ruby Muir

Ann Miller

Avril Anderson

Pamela Plowman

Lindsy Williams

Doreen Hawkins

6.     Solos

“The Lights of Home“, “Souvenirs "... Gay Robertson.

7. Playlet ... " Cabbages and Kings "

King Corum	Sidney Coleman
His Wife, Meldora	Janet Northern
Their Daughter, Ardita	Joan Bray
King Dorum	Brian Craddock
His Son, Toro	Tony Court
Peter Simple	George Eady
King Corum's Servant	Betty Partridge
King Dorum's Servant	Shirley Farrow
An Official	Marlene Johnson
A Page	Betty Partridge

INTERVAL.

8. Nigger Ministrels

"Swannee River", "Old Black Joe", "Campdown Races"

George Eady

Bobby Rose

Barry Drage

John Smith

Ray Phipp

David Baish

Peter Clipson

John Evans

John Coleman

Dennis Osborne

Teddy Cope

Michael Abbott

9. Song and Dance

   "Bell Bottom Trousers"
June Coleman, Marlene Johnson.

10. Piano Solos

The Merry Peasant - Schumann
Tulips - H. Baynton-Pozver
The Water Fall - J. Marat

Elizabeth Chapman.

11. Indian Scene
"Hiawatha"

Narrator : Patsy Loak

Chorus :

Gay Robertson

Patsy Loak

Janet Northern

Dorothy Ramsbottorn

Molly Blaxley

Eileen Russell

Brenda Roberts

Marlene Johnson

SyJvia Whiteman

George Smith

Jimmy Strudwick

12. Monologue ... "Tomboy"

Marlene Johnson.

13. Piano Solos

“The Old Lamp Lighter”, “Apple Blossom Wedding “
Joan Bray.

14. Playlet .... “Safety First"

The King	Brenda Roberts
The Queen	June Coleman
The Princess	Sadie Williamson
First Prince	Janet York
Second Prince	Jennifer Cooper
Third Prince	Valerie Roche
Godmother	Eileen Russell
Page	Shirley Farrow
Soldier	Dorothy Ramsbottom
Courtiers :	Sylvia    Whiteman
	Molly Blaxley,
	Margaret Strudwick

  Finale  ... Whole Cast

Carol ... “Silent Night"

Song ... “Bless this House”