Agnes Irwin School - Last Strand Yearbook (Rosemont, PA)

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'Che eixldbcgosd layers The editors of these pages have desired an account of the Wouldbegood Players from their embryo state to its full-b-lown glory, a growth which covers a period of four months: from the trials for membership held in the last weeks of November until the play given the last of March. Having picked from the ninety-two contestants thirty- five who seemed possessed of histrionic abilities above their comrades, the six founders, namely Frances Tyson, Marjorie Morris, Anna Brinton, Molly Baily, Emma Dorr and Kate Jayne called the first meeting and discussed plans. First we must have a room. in which to act and meet. Then we must decide on what play to expend our energies, also a name must be provided. 'Many were suggested but none seemed to please everybody, so, as we had much to attend to, we let that slide. Anne Meirs offered a large room in an unoccupied house belonging to her parents and we de- cided that after the meeting we would inspect it. As the entrance trials had come from Twelfth Night that play was naturally suggested. A few protested that it would bc too difficult, but they were soon cheered by the self-confident officers. It was put to vote and as nobody objected it was considered settled. Other meetings followed this eventful first, for the parts had to be assigned, and many things had to be decided. The room offered was considered unsurpass- able and the Wouldbegoods, though not then so called, moved in. Before they broke up for the Christmas holidays they were authorized to know the first two acts. During the holidays a stage was erected and curtains hung, making the room very cheery indeed. No definite plan had been made in regard to a coach Q-that we needed one was certain, but who? Miss Sophy said one day that she would let us have Mr. King for a few lessons, and the thought struck us: why not have Mr. King as a coach? We asked Miss Laws to write and ask him and he accepted, though some- what reluctantly. We had our first rehearsal the eighth of January, and then work began in good earnest, for a harder task-master it would have been difficult to find, and a more

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intensely determined set of girls does not grow on every bush. From that time forth the room was never idle, for when Mr. King was not putting us through our paces we were struggling to absorb what he had told us. Afternoon after after- noon girls rehearsed and were criticized by their fellow actors, and repeated untiringly scene after scene. They did not even have time to lose their tempers at the criticisms. Have I given the impression of grinding work? Well, it is a true impression, but it had its other side, for when we were not in deep depression we were in a state of constant hilarity. As the time drew near more work loomed up: costumes to be ordered, scenery to be painted, properties to be collected, and the executive committee, composed of Kate Jayne, Anne Meirs and Frances Tyson, spent long hours at the costumers. They explored nearly all the theaters in town in search of scenery which they did not find, and then jour- neyed up to Broad and Callowhill and passed many an anxious hour ordering scenery to be painted especially. All the while rehearsals went steadily on, no longer at the rooms, however, but at the Bellevue. On Thursday, March 26, the dress rehearsal was called, and it went oif amazingly well, once it got started. Much war was waged behind the scenes concerning makeup and wigs, curtains and lights, but nothing more than might be expected, for they were all things of the utmost importance. On Monday moming, oh! agony of mind! Sir Toby's voice was gone! It might retum and it might not! We were polished some more until about one, when all b-ut the executive committee were dismissed. After attending to some odds and ends which took an amazingly long time, it too was dismissed for an interval of two hours for rest and food. From six o'clock on, all was a whirl. Girls rushing madly about asking a million questions,- wigs lost,-swords mislaid,-sword-belt not to be found, this person was not enough made-up, that one too much. Flowers, though forbidden, began to arrive adding just one more note to the confusion which seethed on all sides. Sir Toby's voice had returned though no one knew how long it would remain. All this teeming mass subsided at five minutes after eight, for everybody and everything was ready. At eight-fifteen down went the lights and up went the curtain. From then on all went without a hitch. Much to our pride it was ' over at 10.45 and nobody had had a chance to get weary. After the Wouldbegoods had been flattered enough to turn their heads all the way around, they departed to dream upon the event. Now we will skip all the tedious days which followed when order had to be brought out of chaos. Suffice it to say that more than enough money was made to cover expenses, and leave a comfort- able balance in the bank to start on next year. And now we have wearied you long enough with this conversation about our- selves, so let us ring down the curtain on our endeavors with what speed we may. KATE FURNESS IAYNE 46