The news & observer., 1896-12-27
CANTATA AT METROPOLITAN.
The Tabernacle Sunday School Closes its
christmas Festivities.

The Tabernacle Sunday School Closes its
christmas Festivities.
IA Visit TO Old Chris" was the name
OF the cantata rendered by children OF the
Tabernacle Sunday School at Metropoli-
tan Hall pm Friday night Every seat in
the hall was occupied, except few of the
back BENCHES In the gallery 1t was
Christmas night, and everybody was in a
good huraor, and had evidently come to
hear and: see, for there was never more
orderly or appreciative assemblage
The plDt of the cantata opened with
village scene, with large number OF
girls and boys starting off on n hunt for
some fun, singing q lively chorus; plans
were proposed for visit to Old Chris
as they $50 off on their journey ''Ulacula,"
n messenger from Old Chris, represented
by Miss Iva Upchurch, appeared in bright
costume: and sang well rendered solo,
and rs She retired a company of farmer
boys came on with a jolly song and cho-
rus, and joined In the visit to Old Chris
Miss Mary BroughtOn sang a beautiful
solo about the birds, and as she conclud
ed company Of Chinese maids, in cos
tune, came in with swinging motion and
q iing-a-ling chorus, which captured the
audience. Willie Upchurch, boy always
cold anI chilly, splendidly impersonatel
by Waller Cfabtree, came along aud was
urged to join the party on its visit to OLD
Chris, but with song and chorus he de-
clared that il was too cold" and that he
was going where it was warm" The
girls and boys sang goodbye" to him,
and the curtain fell, closing upon Part /.
During the short intermission, the
Turkey Song" given mt the Christmas
tree entertainment Thursday night, was
repeated. Little Laura Egerton and
Needham Broughton, two tots in bright
Turkish costume, seated on an improvised
divan, Eastern style, sang in words that
more or the audience could interpret "a
duet that called them back by hearty en-
cores. Tohe Marshall says that was the
best thing he ever saw in Metropolitan
Opera: House, and as ianitor he has seen
many an entertainment.
The: curtain again rising. the company
appeared in their search for Old Chris.
with silent tread and Hush, Hush"
song. Some of them seemed discouraged
but Miss Alma Crabtree with good voice
and CLEAR words urged that they should
''be not discouraged" All started Of
again, and the Boys Brigade" under
comnsand of Capt. j, j. Bernard, some
30 strong, in full uniform, appeared Id
sight: and were roundly applauded. They
marched and counter-marched In a man
ner that surprised every body, and reflect
cd gseat credit upon the boys and their
commander.
UlIacula again appeared and told the
t.niiHTnu that old Chris hal
reveal himself but first OF all he would
introduce his fairies and elves. Here
cam: upon the scene its brightest and
most dazzling picture, consisting Of about
ffty=little girls dressed in white and green
tarleton, with march and song. The
whole stage at ouce became scene of
seaety.
O.d Chris, in the person of phillip
BrGughton, who acted well his part
came in the midst of the large crowd. and.
vita song and chorus, acknowledged that
they had found him."
goodnight" song closed the splendid
entertainment, which lasted just about
one hour and half
The music, bright and beautiful, was
well sustained by the orchestra composed
OF Miss Evie Ellis, pianist; Miss Beyer-
i'A - a ittAh W toAAApiS, F4OilHtSlSs AIT.
Iowa Parish, double bass violin; Mr.
Ernest Lougee, clarionet; Messrs. 1homas
and Egerton, cornets, and Mr. Thomas
Lumsden, trombone
To Misses Olivia Barkley Evie Ellis.
Rosa Broughton, Mrs J H. Weathers
aid that greatest Of all Sunday
School workers, Mr.. " Il. Broughton.
is due special mention for the render
ing of the cantata. Many others gave
valuable assistance, and it must be
source Of great pleasure to- them that the
large audience had but one verdict to pass
upon what they had seen and heard.
end that was, ''It was splendid"