Bedford High School - Torch Yearbook (Bedford, IA)

Page 57 text:

DRAMA Since the disappearance of declamation three years ago from the Bedford scene, dramat- ic productions have become a vital entertainment and educa- tional activity in Bedford High school. In these theatrical pro- ductions the class of 1942 has been not only active but also out- standing and proficient. From their freshman debut in Never- thelessi' to the rapid sophistica- tion of Page Miss Glory, the seniors have demonstrated their keen interest in the drama. The high school season of 1941-42 opened in late Septem- ber with three public performan- ces of Purple Doorknobf' a one-act comedy ably acted by Jeannette Lucas, Lavonne Ham- ilton and Charlotte Kennedy. In mid-November the Junior class presented the recent Broad- way thriller, Ladies in Retire- ment, to a large and responsive audience. The difficult roles were ably handled by Martha Ulmer, Suzanne Wetmore, Lola Klopp, Helen Hamilton, Vivian Hunter, Katharine Johnson, Dean Baxter and Bob Morris, as- sisted by a technical staff of fel- low juniors. In December the Junior High gave an enjoyable performance of Tom Sawyer, followed in January and February by per- formances of a one-act play, Sauce for the Goslingsfl and choral reading. In the spring, as a practical application of play production study, the senior speech class prepared and presented to the student assemblies a series of one-act plays: What Fools These Mortals Be, an April fool comedy, A Slice of Melon, an old Chinese pantomime, The Monkeyfs Paw, a familiar hor- ror play, and The Subsequent History of Mr. Jonah, a Biblical satire. bil The year's activity ended with the senior play, Page Miss Glory.

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SHAKESPE RE CLUB Back row, left to right: Shirley Irwin, Harlan Ulmer, Miss Walker, Paul Clark, Augl1S'C SCSQVE. Second row, left to right: Fae Cochran, Charlotte Kennedy, Edith Steel, Barbara Blane, Josephine Moore, Ferne Gray. Front row, left to right: Nettie Williams, Lois Pullen, Mary McQuaid, Doris Rimel, Kathleen Wintermute, Zola Million. Enthusiasm engendered by the study of Macbeth and Hamlet in the English literature class resulted in the formation of a Shakeslpeare Club in November, 19411. The purpose of the club was to provide an opportunity for further study of the plays of Shakespeare. The group has built up a iwide background concerning the customs, manners, ideals and ways of thinking in one of the greatest eras of English literature. The club has met regularly twice a month in the homes of the members. :Sixteen literature students have 'made up the membership roll. Miss Walker is the sponsor.

Page 58 text:

UNIOR CLASS PLAY HDOUBLE DOOR Back row, from left to right: Delbert Rogers, Paul Clark, Lavonne Hamilton, Dean Davidson, Junior Spencer, Howard Cox, Mr. Flick. Front row, left to right: Donald Walkup, Opal Goff, Doris Rimel, Martha Smalley, Jeannette Lucas, Everett Sharp. ln November, 1940, the present 'senior class produced and presented as their junior class play the psychological melodrama, Double Door, by Elizabeth MaclFadden. As an experiment in the more difficult fields of drama, and as an attempt to give the school audience a variety in the usual theatrical fare, the play was an outstanding success. The plot of Double Door revolves around Victoria Van Brett's maniac firmness over her sister, Caroline, and her half-brother, Ripg andhow she tried to prevent the 'marriage of Rip to a young lady of lower social position by an attempted murder. The cast gave a serious and inspired perfo rmance, ably 'backed by a technical staff of fel- low juniors.