Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 15 text:

This was followed by The Spirit of the River , a dance interpreted by Anita Avila and Consuela Kaelin in the most graceful, colorful, and beautiful manner one would wish to see. The dancers displayed marked talent and were a feature of the evening. Next came a charming skit by Nettleton Whitney, called The Three Trees , which drew many a laugh and was excellently interpreted by the actors, in- cluding the bee-uti-ful bubbling spring and the stump ! Another marked attraction was the Fashion Review by Marian Coleman and Eleanor Gimbal. From a large picture frame in the center of the setting there stepped, in turn, fifteen beautiful girls illustrating the succeeding styles from the Indian and the dainty Colonial lady to the fresh and breezy girl of today. Beauty, harmony of sound and color, and originality pervaded the atmosphere of this charming picture and the whole was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. And last, but by far not least, of these clever skits came Odds and Ends of 1919 , a musical attraction presented by the Boys ' Glee Club which has a reputation for good talent and originality. The Glee Club gave an excellent finish to an excellent program by coyly grouping themselves in Spring bonnets and under dainty parasols as they sang Mary to the delight of all. The Orchestra ' s exit march was accompanied by regrets in the hearts of the audience that the enjoyable evening was so soon over. Thanks are due to the stage crew, Charles Oliver, Fuller Lyman, Nelson Chick, Inman Beck, Wilbur Boies, and Herb Ross for their remarkably quick and efficient work behind the scenes; also to Miss McLean and Miss Heinz for their indispensable aid in helping to make this Vodvil the successful production it proved to be.

Page 14 text:

ii OING, — going, — gone! And before 8 p. m. on the evening of March 1-7, the box office had sold every available seat to Berkeley Hi ' s ■ most successful Vodvil show — most successful, judging from the variety of talent displayed, and the enthusiastic audience. The pleasure of the evening was enhanced for all by the initiation of the handsome and long-desired new curtain, the purchase of which, together with other necessary stage accou- trements, the proceeds accomplished. The B.H.S. Symphony opened the program with several enjoyable numbers, followed by the humorous curtain raiser, The Duchess , of Gleb Postnikov ' s manufacture, with Gleb himself impersonating the vamp of the story. Between peals of laughter the audience heard the Lady in the Street Car telling Jimmie that Mother knows, deah, mother knows . Rhea Boynton as the Lady gave this comical sketch to perfection. Henry Morrison and James Colling let the audience in on a wild card game, and some real original negro comedy in their skit entitled, Two Black Crows . When Murven Bryant ' s jazz band commenced its Pop Concert , feet unconsciously began to shuffle and the listeners were transported for some minutes to Jazzland where worries were forgotten while the air was filled with the delightful, crashing music. During the intermission Louis LeHane and Marjorie McLeod each gave a four-minute talk on Bonds. These talks, undoubtedly, helped toward the success of the School Bond Issue. Then Louis Brock presented Cinderella ' s Dream , which had a scream- ingly funny tale to portray and was of a most unusual character, having strik- ing costumes and stage setting. The large and talented cast showed long and arduous preparation and was the recipient of many favorable remarks.

Page 16 text:

The Merchant of Venice V SHAKESPEARE has once more been commemorated in the hearts of Berkeley High School ' s lovers of drama by the successful presentation of the Merchant of Venice which took place on the evening of May 9. The Dramatic Interpretation Class proved their ability and the perfection attained under the able direction of Mr. Winter, to whom all thanks are due. Old Shylock, a Jewish money- lender, about whom the story centers, is a character part with most difficult passions to portray; yet Cyrus Friedmann, to whom the part was assigned, carried it off with marked ability, interpreting Shylock as it was meant he should be, — dignified, emo- tional, cold, bloodthirsty, and deeply pas- sionate. A beautiful and inspiring vision was Emma Knox as fair Portia and little wonder is it that the hearts of her numer- ous suitors were set a-tripping at the mere sight of her. Portia ' s great charm, beauty, and spirit were impressed upon the audi- ence by this already well-known player whose talent and splendid acting will not soon be forgotten. Harold Woolsey played the part of Bassanio, a young noble of Venice, who proved to be the lucky suitor to Portia. As a gentleman and a lover he displayed all the qualities of such with spirit and feeling, playing a pleasing opposite to Lady Portia. The Merchant, Antonio, was ren- dered in a splendid style by Albert Lee with all the sad dignity and grace which belonged to this admirable friend of Bass anio.