CHILDREN’S OPERETTA

Most successful performances of an operetta, entitled "Cinderella's At Home," were given in the Old School on February 15th, 16th, and 20th, by children attending the Council School. The very greatest credit is due to Ida Dore and all her little colleagues, as well as to those who trained them or otherwise assisted in the production of the piece. Only those who have had to do with the musical, training of children can properly appreciate the character of the task so pluckily undertake and so successfully performed by Miss Bird and Miss Sparrow. Moreover, the, enthusiasm of the two prime movers, was evidently of a highly infectious order, for their efforts were most ably seconded by Mr. L. Sparrow, conductor, Mr. A. Wyles, jun., chief stage-carpenter and footlight-operator, Mr. C. A. Binyon, lessee and manager, and Mr. A. Sparrow, who ran the risk of serious pecuniary loss by allowing his residence to be converted into what can only be described as a "public" house for some two or three months. Seldom have the Old Schools accommodated audiences as large or appreciative as those which assembled to witness "Cinderella's At Home," and we heartily congratulate all concerned. The receipts amounted to £16 5s. 8d., and the expenditure (inclusive of a voluntary payment of 10s. for the use of the Old School) to £3 5s. 7d., so that there remains the handsome balance of £13 0s. 1d., out of which it is proposed to give a tea, one day during Easter Week, to all the children attending the Day Schools. Photographs (price 2d. each) of those who took part in the performances may be had at Mr. A. Sparrow's.

CHOIR OUTING

(Contributed by J. F. A.)

The outing of the Badsey choir has now become a fixture
So the last one they have just enjoyed these lines will try to picture.
'Twas when at midnight's witching hour the muster-roll was sounded
We started off upon our tour and sleepy thoughts confounded.

'Mongst this gay and happy party were some heroes of renown,
He of the cigar was there as tho' no troubles had he known,
And Jolly Jarge and Bill were there, so were the lusty Twins,
And some who on that glorious day accomplished famous things.

First Dawlish Town in Devonshire was honoured with a call
And there photographs were taken of all both great and small;
The sea a sheen of splendour enraptured us with pleasure,
For Nature here has lavished gifts and in unstinted measure.

As the hour was rather early the shutters were not down
And some of us enjoyed a fruitless journey up the town,
But, instead of being downhearted, like true-born Britons we
Were first among the bathers in the bright and sparkling sea.

Here some of Badsey's heroes a new style of bathing set,
One rule is quite a novelty, 'O see you don't get wet'
But an unexpected shower-bath damped all their modesty
Amid the pearls of laughter and the merry shouts of glee.

To breakfast now we all advanced with grim determination
To make a good impression in this pleasant operation;
Successful was the onslaught and delightful was the view,
While fountains played around us and sweet flowers their fragrance threw.

Until this time our party had been one and undivided
(By Binyon's skilful hand our fortunes had been guided)
But Jolly Jarge now took in charge a section of the party
Need it be said that where he led we followed gay and hearty?

To Teignmouth next we went by train and there we drew no blank,
As from there we were escorted by a lady of high rank
Across the sea to Paignton and thence on to Torquay,
Where from her, to our deep regret, we parted company.

Within the Harbour and the Bay was much that claimed attention,
Yachts and submarines of every pattern and dimension;
A collier grim had just come in with cargo black and dusty,
Whereon some hardy sons of toil were getting rather crusty.

Now through the town we wandered seeing plenty to admire,
Especially the gardens being all we could desire,
And here fair Devon's lasses, of Devonshire the cream,
Seem to have reached the acme of the dreamiest poet's dream.

We did not need a clock to know that dinner-time was near
Once more we found ourselves amidst the very best of cheer;
The dining-hall was beautiful, the tarts they were sublime,
And mid much fun and merriment right gaily did we dine.

Being in the best of humours with the world and all therein
We thought that on some shopping we had better now begin;
Of pretty things of all kinds in the shops there was no lack
To please the kiddies, wives and sweethearts on returning back.

I have as yet omitted an important word to say:
A visitor from Africa accompanied us that day,
From where the hungry crocodiles their hungry jaws expand
And where camels are more numerous than taxis in the Strand,

From where the dusky beauties are not troubled with long bills
For fascinating mysteries of silk or satin frills,
From where such lovely feathers as our charming ladies wear
Adorn the birds of greatest speed and those of plumage rare.

The main division of the band the rugged cliffs ascended
And there the view they had below in grandeur was extended,
The glittering beauty of the deep was viewed in silent wonder,
The billows breaking on the shore with voice of ceaseless thunder.

They then took boats and braved the deep and lived the tale to tell
(Although some of the party were affected by the swell)
Of how an angler skilful in the practice of his art
Bewailed his luck because he failed to catch a "crab" or shark.

In pony-racing on the sands some found exhilaration
But to two faint trenchermen the dinner brought no consolation
They played along the Warren, as happy in their glee
The inmates of a "warren" are quite rightly said to be.

To Exmouth now they started and by way of variation
Gave the silent musing of a cave a startling visitation;
The docks were then inspected and a schooner much admired,
But further fishing tactics still left much to be desired.

And now some dental instruments were handled with much skill,
And, after tea had been attacked with vigour and goodwill,
A building competition, with all materials free,
Was started, but all differences were levelled by the sea.

Two bright young hopefuls of the band with slight romantic leaning,
Who left us early in the day, returned with faces beaming,
And told with animation (to give every one his rights)
Such tales as are not often heard outside Arabian Nights

The absence of the ladies was regretted most sincerely,
And this we'd like them all to feel and understand most clearly;
And will our genial Vicar a twelve month's notice take
That next year we expect him to a journey with us make?