Loyola College - Review Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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LOYOLA Page 11 COLLEGE REVIEW center of the stage. In silence she thrills the world . . . God's master puppet . . . and now she curtsies to the world and is rising higher and higher. All that is left is a tableau of silent beauty. The finale leaves one breathless at the magic of God's puppets, and this student turns away from his window that mirrors the world and kneels to say his prayers and thank God for the beauty of night. “Alas that Spring Should Vanish with tbe Rose Slowly, gently, float the Rose's petals down, As wanton Nature from her well-filled chalice tips A stream ој ош ту blood on Nature's wide green gown, Each petal splashing red—spilt from а rose' s lips. Whispers o'er the fields the sleepy Zephyr’s breath, As steals she, heavy-eyed to yonder vale for rest. A tiny bird chirps out the Summer's shriveled death; And slowly steals on Autumn's hord the dreaded guest. Across the land's black moors the winter now holds sway, And all fat Autumn's store he flings upon the wind: Each trembling bud апа quiv'ring grassy blade of Мау Lies dead. The tree stands bare with leafless boughs entwined, And wails a dirge for Spring that vanished with the Rose. ALBERT MELLOR, 42.

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LOYOLA COLLEGE Page 10 REVIEW GOD’s PUPPET SHOW By ROYDEN THOMS Reapy on stage! Place everyone! Lights! Curtain going up! The theatre is the world. The audience is you. And the play is a swift moment out of a beautiful day. The players are puppets on heavenly strings manipulated by the hand of God. We know that life in the amphitheatre of the world is a continuous drama. The situations and actions controlled by the free wills of men. This, sometimes, makes it a sordid play and at other times the most beautiful thing in the world. Fortunately there is mingled with this serious way of life the glorious puppet shows that make us wonder at their beauty and the skill of their creator. Sometimes, if they are appreciated, they enhance the setting for the real drama of life and make it a fascinating adventure instead of a walking shadow'' as poor Macbeth so dis- mally proclaimed. Let us, then, on the wings of a fanciful imagination witness an evening per- formance that is about to begin on the stage of a hazy summer sky. Our seats are the best. The box is in the ‘land of make believe’ . . . Third aisle to your right, please. The scene is set due northwest and above Loyola’s campus. The overture! A chorus of red breasted robins supplemented by the wind whistling through the trees and the buzz of bees produce a symphony that would shame a Beethoven or a Verdi. The harmonies rise to a crescendo and then give way to the star of this play. The Eastern King of Morning after a sojourn of many days has returned in a glittering array of shiny armour. ће has laughed at the world all дау, and now а fleecy group of clouds dance for him and flirt with sunbeams as they glide along. Twice, this day, did black robed knights ride past his face and rumble threats of thunder and lightning at his kingly throne. The Heavens were sad and terrified, but did not show their grief in tears. And now, the conquering king has been wooed to the west. He stands before the world with all his retinue of princ ely clouds and delicate rays in colourful splendour. Watch now. See how he dismisses them. Oh! How they glide away. Now he dons his scarlet cloak and wears his ‘ruby crown’. With real, kingly grace he makes his last gesture to a wondering world and caressing the brow of yonder hill in a momentary kiss, he slowly leaves the stage. The tall pines wave a sad farewell; the shaggy birch heaves a gentle sigh; and the poplars give a universal tremble for fear of approaching night. Shss . . . no applause . . . here comes the villain. With ungainly gait, his mantle swung across his shoulder and a dark frown on his brow, he sweeps the world with a glance and creeps up stage іп a terrifying kind of way . . . and night holds sway. But look! What's that? Why it's a new character. The heroine of the play. The bi-horned crescent of the sky. The S pr of all the Stars. She rises slowly 4 gracefully. With captivating glances and silent splendour intermingled with the rhythm of her flight across the sky, she wins the villain completely. Yes, quite . . . for he is giving her gifts. A star for her hair . . . another and yet another. . . Look! A diamond for her throat. Why, the rogue is outdoing himself tonight for he has just presented her with a necklace . . . a pearly one too . . . some people call it ' The Milky Way'. Now night fades into the background. The moon holds the

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LOYOLA COLLEGE Page 12 REVIEW 1354 tícs Тын 1939-40 season was the busiest and certainly one of the most successful ever enjoyed by the Dramatic Society. There is no doubt that the past two years have witnessed a really exceptional rise in the standard of our dramatic presentations, a rise be it noted, which has engendered a wider student interest in the doings of the footlight fraternity, and a finer appre- ciation of good drama. Apart from this general cultural influence on the student body at large, we remark that greater numbers both from high school and college appeared than ever before, while a great many hidden 'stars of the stage staff’ gained rich experience under the direction of Rev. Fr. Bryan, S.J. In many another educational institution course in stage production, in no wise superior to the Sp hi our stage crews, ч ли іп the prospectus under the pretentious headings, English XIII or “Тһе Practice of Dramatic Produc- tion , etc. Loyola men who profit by the opportunities open to each, receive in this extra-curricular activity valuable experience, candy-coated because voluntary. Still feeling an enthusiastic tingle and urge to do, an aftermath of last year's success, Yellow Jack’’, the society swung into action almost as soon as the football squad. Three one act plays were presented as early as Friday, November 10th. Н. Н. Munro's Death Trap showed political plot and counterplot in an obscure east-European kingdom. Sylvio Narizzano gave promise of his later splendid pet by a competent interpretation of the lead, a betrayed prince forcing is betrayers to keep step with him to eternity. John Granda as the loyal Dr. Stronitz, Bob Swinton, Walter Niesluchowski, and Dave Sutherland as the villains, hoist by their own petard, were entirely adequate. We saw for the first time our beautiful new out-door set in Laurence Hous- man's “Ав Good as Gold , and the acting matched the set. That is unequivocal praise of no low order. Dave Asselin as II Poverello, and Bill Shore as Friar Juniper ave splendid performances. From junior member ranks Joe Johnson, Des Ellard, rank Walsh and Jim Mell were equally good in support. A. А. Milne's “Тһе Boy Comes Ноте introduced several newcomers to our stage, Kevin McKenna playing well in his first role, while Kevin Mulcair convinced, as the tragically matured boy officer returned from the front. Hugo Aldaya in the briefest of scenes was perfect as the chef. The audience would have liked more of him. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the society continued its intensive activity by presenting a second trio of one act plays. “Тһе Grey Overcoat” by W. К. Randall, a who done іс” detective yarn, gave Mark McKeown scope for his talent as the super sleuth; Bob Haymes was good as the blustering, blundering Police Inspector, and Frank Hammill was a very nasty thief. This reviewer must confess however, that who done іс”, and what it was that was ‘“‘done” still remains something of a mystery.