“Jack” the Giant-Killer at Denaby

Last night the large hall, Rossington Street, Denaby Main, was crowded with people, and no wonder, for the entertainment given by some 130 Sunday school children of the Parish Church was not merely pretty but distinctly clever.

Their presentation of a children’s operetta, founded on the well-known nursery legend “Jack the Giant-Killer,” was a vivid reflection of promising ability, and the fruits of careful training. The idea originated through the enterprise of the Parish Church Free Council, who thought that the production would not only give an evening’s enjoyment, but would probably result in a substantial monetary help towards wiping off the existing debt of £400 still remaining, as a result of the recent building extensions.

The children were taught the songs and choruses by Messrs. Hoyle and Taylor, the Vicar, Rev. J. Brooke, being the stage manager; the scenery was specially painted by Messrs. Pickering and Saitoneall, painters of Conisboro’; the dresses were designed by a member of the congregation, and made by the ladies of the working party.

The orchestra was conducted by Mr. Taylor, and the leader of the band was Mr. Moses Soar. By these particulars it will be seen that the arrangements were most complete, and we can heartily congratulate all concerned on the splendid success achieved.

The piece was beautifully staged, the principals acquitted themselves capitally, and the chorus singing was admirable.

The chief characters were impersonated as follows:—“Jack,” Master G. F. Beal; Oswulf, Master George Milner; Anna, Annie Wall; Gurth, Will Wall; Cormoran, Mr. H. S. Witty; Scrunch, E. Hewitt; Munch, H. Milner; King Arthur, Valdave Holland; Rowena, Annie Newton; Carados, Fred Horsfall, all of whom did remarkably well.

It should be stated that the operetta was introduced by two action songs, one by a bevy of little girls in Japanese costume, trained by Miss Fritche, and the other by a number of sailor boys, who sang of the briny deep.

Amongst the members of the orchestra we noticed Mr. W. H. Chambers, the genial managing director of the Denaby and Cadeby Main Collieries.

From start to finish everything went off without a hitch, and the performance bore the hall-mark of merit.