St Johns Ravenscourt School - Eagle Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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. . least of all a rum-soaked footpad.” This is a night for secrets.” The Accusation. This year the school presented its fourth play in seven years. “Billy Budd” proved the most successful yet. Written by Louis O. Coxe and Robert Chapman, and based on the novel by Herman Melville, it was the most challenging pro¬ duction undertaken by the school thus far. Billy Budd is a modern morality play concern¬ ing the conflict between good and evil, and at the same time is an exciting tale of life in the British Royal Navy in the 18th Century. Its many good points include its depth, the opportunity it gives for artistic expression in many aspects, and not of least importance, its all-male cast. Having chosen the play, in October, Mr. Mc¬ Leod, with the aid of Mr. Gordon and Mr. Hammond, set about the task of castings. Within a few weeks, the roles were all filled, and rehears¬ ing had begun under the direction of Mr. McLeod. By Christmas most of the lines were firmly em¬ bedded in the actors’ minds, and they were begin¬ ning to get the feel of their parts. Meanwhile, all had been quiet in the technical aspects of pro¬ duction. Mark Glasgow was busy with pen, brush and artistic talents designing sets, and Bill Mc¬ Williams had already started planning the compli¬ cated lighting schemes. Mrs. Maurer had started collecting white sweat shirts, white ducks and blue ink. In one week early in January, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Kiddell, Miss House and Mrs. Stewart put the ink and shirts together, to produce the now- famous Billy Budd Shirt. In January, rehearsals began in earnest, and the pace of production was stepped up. Rehearsals were longer, and more trying, but also more productive. Evening rehearsals were common, and the day-boys in the play became a curious mixture of boarder and commuter. Attending rehearsals as well as Mr. McLeod and the actors were the set designers and lighting technicians. All worked hard in their respective fields as February pro¬ gressed. As the performance dates neared, new faces appeared on the scene. Paul Wilson had taken over the job of organizing properties from Mr. Glegg, who had fallen ill. Volunteers for make-up were instructed by Miss Kelly one night at the school. Finally the 25th had come. The actors were word-perfect and confident. The sets were com¬ plete and gorgeous; the lighting was carefully planned; the props were gathered and organized; the costumes were made or rented. The dress- rehearsal at the Playhouse went well on Thursday night. 58

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arniva l Curling and tobogganing, which went on all after¬ noon, were favorites of the Lower School. Chuck Alvi and Miss Sidney Macaw, a bumblebee and a penguin, won the costume contest. A Lower School party followed in the dining hall. Their lucky-num- ber draw took place with Donald Guest and Boyd Beaton winning. Events in the evening started with a blazing bonfire and the Carnival Queen Contest. The three candidates were: Miss Celebrity (Ian Hartley), Miss Night-Life of ’65 (Rick Matthews), and Paula Bella of Italia (Paul Bell). Miss Celebrity was chosen Queen by Barbie Blick, Shelley Johnson and Nancy Wicks because of her (his) impressive measure¬ ments, good looks, and original outfit, which con¬ sisted of golden KEX curls, short skirt and long- johns. WHEW! Dave McBeath won the lucky draw and then the tally-ho started, the Upper School going to a farm while the Lower School had theirs here, behind the skidoos. The dance, starting at ten, was attended by over 200 people. Credit goes to the Spectres (Read, Trew, Elliot, Everett, and Mackay) for its success. All was over at 11:30. The Carnival appeared to have been a success. Its organization was somewhat confused, but it made it all the ' more fun. Thanks go to Mrs. Fitz¬ simmons, Mr. Gordon and Harold. Their help was essential to making the Carnival the success that it was. The way the school supported the Carnival this year means that it will likely become an annual event. What better way to raise money each year for an orphan?! Even as this is being written, arrangements are being made for the adoption of an orphan. 57

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B- On Friday the 26th and Saturday the 27th, Billy Budd was presented to large and receptive audiences. The cast who had all worked through long and tedious rehearsals are to be congratulated on the calibre of their performances. Many of those who had parts in the play were newcomers to the stage, but by the final performance, all members of the cast gave very polished performances in a very challenging production. The success of the play is due to all those who gave so much time and effort towards it: to Mr. McLeod who worked so hard to make it possible, to Mr. Shepherd, the sound-effects man, to Mrs. Maurer, the costume- mistress, and to Miss House, Mrs. Hebert, Walter, and Harold, all who co-operated and assisted. OL C ast Edward Fairfax Vere .Aaron Schwartz Philip Michael Seymour, First Officer, Colin Moncrieff John Ratcliffe, First Lt.Rick Matthews Wyatt, Sailing Master .—.....Clark Fraser Gardiner, a Midshipman ...Muir Meredith Ktfcgpts OWJdrfSfjtFSdtfiVniSCflUJllJSCMQOJ-Simon Truelove Surgeon .r.C.v...... Denis Riley John Claggart, Master-at-Arms .Craig Lamb Squeak, Master-at-Arms ' Man .Neil Duncan The Dansker, Mainmast Man .Bill Cottick Jenkins, Captain of the Maintop .Peter Hunter Kincaid, Maintopman .Michael Trew O’Daniel, Maintopman .... ........Philip Dodd Butler, Maintopman .i i.„Bill Everett Talbot, Mizzentopman .Robert McCaskill Jackson, Maintopman .„M. V .David Sprague Billy Budd . fO-xCS id Purdy Hallamj St Marine .Randy Paul Messboy .George Gosko Stoll, Helmsman .Hugh Swan Duncan, Mate of the Maindeckv...Doug McDonald Byren, Relief Helmsman .Stewart Searle Drummer .Doug MacKay Other Sailors ...n.i,;.}..JS§C-.Paul Schmidt Doug Arnett ..., Bil ! £f oy Michael Elliot Prompter ....AJ.I-OU .Blair Carlson Make-8pf P.QX.Qf iSf...OtiL.Kelly Stage Sets .Mark Glasgow W. Hartwig and Staff Lighting .Bill McWilliams Properties .Paul Wilson Costumes.Mrs. K. W. Maurer and Assistants ' Malabar ' s Director .Gordon D. McLeod The Cast. Why, sir, he ' s dead!” God knows I ' m sorry . God bless Captain Vere!”