Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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THE ASHBURY-ELMWOOD PLAY, 1949— Hay Fever ' , by Noel Coward

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20 SAMARA the stage. No written script was used, and the attractive sets were made and painted by the children themselves. Their characterizations delighted everyone. Following this a puppet-show was presented by Forms II and III under Miss Greaves ' direc- tion. The puppets, which had been made by the children, provided - much amusement. On the same programme the Intermediates presented the Third Act of the fantasy of Make-Believe , by A. A. Milne. This charm- ing performance brought the morning ' s enter- tainment to a close. At Glebe Collegiate Auditorium, on March 10, the combined Ashbury-Elmwood Dramatic Societies presented their annual play directoil by Mr. Belcher. The following is an excerpt from the Ottawa Citizen: The young thespians kept a large audience weak from suspense and laughter with their present ation of George M. Cohan ' s Two- Act Comedy ' Seven Keys to Baldpate ' . This sprightly drama deals with a success- ful author of thrillers who makes a wager that he can write a novel in 24 hours. He main- tains all he needs is peace and quiet. The wealthy friend with whom he makes the wager grants him the use of Baldpate House which proves to be everything but a secluded retreat. While the author is supposed to be writing his story but isn ' t, a variety of characters includ- ing thugs, blackmailers, a newspaper woman and a ' chaperone ' collect in the house, provid- ing the thread for a loom of complications and thrills that ends with a surprising twist. Although this play was an amateur produc- tion it made up in enthusiasm what it may have lacked in histrionic abihty, and the warm re- ception of the audience was only exceeded by the pleasure of the cast in presenting it. The members of the cast wish to thank Mr. Belcher for his able production and keen understand- ing of their difficulties. In March, Elmwood ' s final dramatic presen- tation of the year was made by the Inter- mediate and Junior Dramatics Classes. The Intermediate group presented Rose La Tulippe , a legend of French Canada. A splen- did background had been planned and painted by Miss Hull ' s helpers, chiefly Mary Burns, Sheila McCormick and Karla Krug, though many o ' iiers lent a hand too. The groupings in the play were particularly good, as the villagers huddled over the fire exchanging superstitious tales, or feasted hilariously at the table. They danced with such gusto and zest that the audience clapped their appreciation. Among individual performances, mention should be made of Catherine Hees who, with fine sense of movement, overcame the diffi- culty that any girl has in taking a male role, and proved a very dashing and handsome Devil. Diana Eraser played the part of the mother, a bustling housewife, very well, while Norma Baird was as sweet a Rose as anyone could desire. Among the gossips Mary Frances Matthewman was outstanding as she whispered confidentially to her neighbours and gave unwanted advice to Rose ' s mother. Of the two junior plays, Snow White was presented by the younger group. The Dwarfs won the hearts of all the audience, and Susan Greenwood made a very charming Snow White, while Judy Mansur acted the Wicked Queen very well. The Pied Piper of Hame- lin , played by the other junior group, was in some ways the most memorable play of the afternoon. It had in its cast two outstanding little actresses, Julie Gibson and Judy Kellock, the former as the pursy, self-important mayor, and the latter as the Pied Piper. With splen- did use of gesture and fine speed in delivery of lines, she gave effectively the impression of being an inhabitant of another world, a creature different from the worthy people of Hamelin. Karla Krug looked perfectly the part of little lame Hans, and others who de- serve mention include Cicely Dunn, Andrea Rowley, Shirley Ann McKay, and Beverley Brown. Sheila McCormick ably led the choir who spoke the narrative of the play.

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ELMWOOD PLAY, 1949— Pride and Prejudice