North Quincy High School - Manet Yearbook (North Quincy, MA)

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10 MAN ET received an answer. The impossible became possible! You can imagine, I lost little time in preparing to realize a great adventure. Several days later I was in the offices of the Music Hall. I brought the invaluable letter. which I had received. for identification. I am sure the woman who greeted me was disap- pointed. for the way in which I had stated 1ny reasons for wanting to visit this motion picture palace sounded as though I were a theatrical architect. I was looked upon as a fraud. and as I felt myself shrinking under her glare. I was suddenly reassured of my victory by the letter I remembered was in my pocket. Somehow. I seemed to collect myself. and before I knew it. I was being guided through the backstage sections. My first thrill was being able to look tfrom far below the stage properj up through the orchestra pit elevator shaft. NYhat a strange aspect! The picture screen was in sharp per- spective and the pit itself was so deep that it was more like a vertical tunnel. The fioor upon which I stood was partly covered with what seemed to be steel sheeting. I believe it. had something to do with acoustics. Hydraulic presses. I was told. worked the orchestra plat- form. Above me was the three-section elevator stage which both rises and sinks. From here the guide took me to a room in which the Music Hall generates its own elec- tricity. IVe found ourselves gazing upon an immense area lined with neat rows of genera- tors. All was immaculately clean. The elec- trical equipment alone was so extensive that more than one-eighth tfall the room backstage seemed taken up by it. A maze of corridors did not hinder our prog- ress. and if Aladdin's lamp were responsible we could not have reached the stage more quickly. Enveloped in a blue mist seemed the stage. I stumbled over trailing wires as I ven- tured on in a dream. So penetrating was the gloom, that everything above seemed to melt into nothingness. Properties appeared to be scattered about everywhere. Many of the cur- tains retired from their glory at the sides of the stage. One pair in particular was outstand- gy ing. It was made of black oilcloth with the shiny side facing the audience. Many of the master effects in the Music Hall are gained by this curtain. Such darkness there was, I noticed little more about tl1e stage itself. In one of the wing sections was a large open wardrobe where quick costume changes were made. The other side seemed to be used as a scene dock. The scenery itself was also painted there. The scenery was so large that it was quite necessary that this be so. My tour was so extensive that it is necessary for me merely to mention some of the other sections I visited. It was my good fortune to see the broadcasting studio from which the Sunday. and other concerts. come, the ballet practice room, the R-ockette's practice room, the hospital. the preview projection room, the cafeteria. and life being carried on in all these various spots. A fitting grand finale was my having the honor of being able to sign in a large guest- book. which I can truthfully say is the largest volume I have ever seen. It is in Roxy 's former apartment. which is the most beautiful suite one could possibly desire. The guest-book made a. strong impression on me as there were signa- tures of Ricardo Cortez, and other motion pic- ture stars. Also one saw titles such as baron. count. viscount. duke. and other rather i1n- portant tat. least soundingt. titles. You may be interested to know some of the facts about the foremost theater in the world. The seating capacity is six thousand two hun- dred. and the Grand Foyer will accommodate two thousand people. The stage is one hundred forty-four feet wide and the proscenium arch is sixty feet high. There is a three-section elevator stage with a revolving platform set. in the center section. besides a rising orchestra pit in front of the proscenium arch. The 'icon- tour curtain is driven by thirteen motors and may be made to form practically any desired size opening. Fifty seamstresses work contin- ually and the place is nothing short- of mar- velous. It is an experience that will never be erased from my memory. and that I hope some day to repeat again. wha Hflbglg Glarie lglagrra flnterviewecl by RUTH CHANNELL and AGNES WALKERJ Back stage of the Colonial Theater during the intermission of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pinafore. we shivered with tingling expec- tation for three slow-moving minutes. IVe tried chokingly to breathe a prayer-UO, Muses. grant that nothing may hinder our in- terview with the world-famous D'Oyly Carte Players. A minute later our muffled prayer had been answered. Genial Mr. Rooke, the publicity manager for the company and also our pleas- ant host. had ushered us into the dressing room of delightful Miss Marjorie Eyre. YVe were then ready to experience true English hospi- tality-and. indeed, in the persons of Miss Eyre and of Mr. Rooke we experienced a hos- pitality so vibrant that it moved us to etch in our imaginations a setting of an English

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MAN ET 9 aml your moral stamina is again at low ebb, try quoting excerpts fro1n famous poems. or quotations. This one is very good o11 occasion: l am the master of 1ny fate l a1n the captain of 1ny soulf' or here is another if the tirst does 11ot fulfill expectations : lf at first you don 't succeed, try, try again. If this doesn't create the response that you expected a11d you havent got a ride by this time you had better quit. You 're just nor built for a hitch-hiker. Try walking, it's so benc- ticial to the leg muscles. An all-around sport. Ihr Beautiful Qlaurrnz nf Blnrag No o11e has t1'aveled wisely who has not seen the Beautiful Caverns of Lurayf' One does 11ot fully realize how true this state111e11t is, until he has actually viewed the splendor of tl1e cav- crns. The Luray Caverns are formed under a large hill in Page Valley, Virginia. This hill is- about 1,200 feet above sea level and 200 feet above the surrounding valley. Since pioneer ti111es a s111all cave was known to be located in the hill. Finally, in the year 1878, Andrew Campbell and Benton Stebbins, of Luray, became convinced, after studying the structure of this cave, which was then known as iiRlli:f11E'1' 's Cave, that a larger cave might exist under the hill. After repeated investigations had been made, a small ope11i11g was found in the ground under so111e bushes where cool air 0211116 through the cracks in the rocks. This hole was 111ade larger until one of the me11 could be lowered i11to it. Mr. Andrew Campbell was the first 111311 to view the wondrous splendor of the eaves. In the following years, many explorations were carried on until it was discovered that the caverns covered more than three 111iles of underground territory. The caverns consist of many rooms, and in later years a system of lights has been installed to bring added beauty to tl1e calcite formations. As I made lily way through the web-like pathways, I saw unbelievable beauty all about me and, at every turn, a new shape presented itself. I could not help being impressed by the grandeur of the glittering stalactites a11d the grotesque stalagmites which make up the caverns. Superb, grand, fantastic, magnificent, daz- zling, weird, and exquisite are some of the words which rise to the lips of the person who views, with awe, the amazing formations. The Ballroom, the Dream Lake, the Sunken City, Flllfi the Silver Sea are only a few of the many scenes that are found in the caves. It has been said, Let the marvels of the eaves be painted on tl1e walls of memory, You can never forget them, nor would you if you could. The visitor to the eaverns will, always re111e111ber his glorious trip underground. I know that I always shall. Glnnrrrning the nrlifa Zllnrvmnat lhvairv Into view rose the elevator stage, and Erno Rapee. amid a brilliant glare of light, took baton in hand. As the brilliancy dimmed, the audience ot' the Radio Vity Music Hall became strangely silent, and, as it' by a magic touch, the orchestra struck a solitary melancholy 11ote. On this the volume increased, and the theme built. and then,-the magnifievnt hgolden con- tour' curtain bega11 to rise. From that mo- ment 011 l had but one secret desire, and that- to look from the stage to the audience. As there we1'e several llli'0l'lIl2lii0Il booths in Rockefeller Center, they became 1ny first ob- ject. From one information desk to another I went, asking if there was any possibility ol' u vis ting the backstage sections of the Music llall. I was disappointed by everyone except one encouraging man who suggested trying the Music Hall itself. Before l had passed through one door it was declared impossible. My last ray ot' hope by which to acquire lllj' purpose was by letter. Still reinaining in Rockefeller f'enter, I went to the post ottice in the R. V. A. Building and wrote, to the best of lllj' ability, a letter to the Music Hall, which, strange as it may seem, was but next door. To further my chance of ad- mittance il enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope. Two weeks later, to my utmost delight, I

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IVIANET ll baronial castle, a cheerfully sparkling log tire. a truly English host and hostess, and endless other Sketch Book IIIIQIQIOS of Merrie EIlgl'llSll life. Ilut back to Miss Eyre 's dressing room! Other members ot' the cast were passing by the open door, and were humming and singing the Iilting tunes of l'inafore g still others were laughing merrily. and exchanging English greetings with Mr. Rooke. Miss Eyre, a petite blonde and an entrancing singer, chatted informally with us. At one tin1e, she confided, I was the leading lady in the opera company, but later I changed to a soub1'ette because it better suited my temp- erament. You ask who makes up the personnel of the D'Oyly Carte t'ompany? XVelI, almost 77 every member of the Company is English, at, this point Miss Eyre coyly smiled and proudly tossed her pretty head. She was, indeed, irre- sistible--t'The rest of the members are native Australians. And we all just love to sing Gil- bert and Sullivan airs. Almost by t1'adition every member of the company must work him- self or herself up from the chorus to a leading part. Also what enjoyable experiences we have traveling the world over f1'0l1l cold countries to hot! But no matter where we go audiences are always enthusiastic. Yould like to know what I think about American audiences? I love themg only they always laugh at different parts of the operas from what. audiences in all other countries laugh at. I attribute that foible to the American sense ol' humor. You know we ha.ven't been in America since 19253, and are not likely to return for at least two more years. 'The Mikado' is our most popular opera not only in America, but in every other country. During the time Miss Eyre was telling us her reactions to America, Mr. liooke chuckled good- naturedly. This is my initial visit to America. he ehimed in, and I like it top notch. Then he added typically man-fashion, But don't be deceived, however, for nothing can touch real plain hearty and well-seasoned English food. The English are a very plain folk and have very plain food. Here in America your foods are too fancy. When a. fellow orders a plain sandwich, what a concoction he gets-the plain savory sandwich is lost among heaps of gooy mayonnaise and tons of curled drooping lettuce leaves. A reminder to you when you may be visiting our country someday-try our bacon! There 's nothing so tasty as a piece of crisp English baconf' Intermission was ending. The show had to go on. Our only regret was that our visit was so short, but. it. will always be a pleasant mem- ory. VVe had the rare privilege of talking with those players who best do the Gilbert, and Sul- livan operas as the authors would have them done. Irlvphnne illllnnnlngur LORNA KEITH, I0-4 Hellog operator? Give me the corner drug store. You haven 't got it to give! Such in- solence. No, I meant connect me with the corner drug store. No, I don't know what number it isg aren't you supposed to know numbers? No? Oh, pardon me I thought you were. Vfell, you think of a number. You can't? Didja try? You're sure you can't'? XVell, wait a minute and l'll think of one- there I've thought of one, guess? You can 't? Sure? XVell, Illl tell you, it's 3-195. Do I want Venter 3495? I don't know, do you think I'd like it? You 'll give it to me anyway? VVl1at if I hang up, then won 't you be sorry? Hello. hello! Oh hel-lo. The corner drug store? The XVestern I'nion!!! Oh, how are you? Do I want to send a telegram? No, well you don 't have to hang up. l'd love to talk. Do you sell ice cream? You don 't-do you like ice creanl? So do I. NVhat kind of face powder do you use? Racheal. Oh, I know they wrote a song about it, cute too. Now let me see what's the name of it-Oh. yes, I have it, Ren-ben and Rachealf' XVant me to sing it for you? You don't. All right I won 't, see if I care. VVhat kind of face powder do you think my sister would like? You don 't know my sister! She has olive hair and a blonde complexion tho' I never could see it. Iler hair 's yellow and olives are green, she has three lovely children, two boys, and a girl. Lovely names too, Robert, Da-You're not interested? You have to get back to work. VVell, all right if you must say good-bye. Call me up again. wontt you?-Bye, bye. Hello, operator, how are you? You gave me the wrong place, but I had the Ioveliest talk with the nicest lady. I was telling her about my sister and her three lovely children. Have I-you're not concerned about 1ny sister. Oh! XVelI, you connect me with a drugstore. Hello, how are you? Fine? That's nice. Do you sell razzberry ice cream? You do? That's nice, too. Do you like it 'l So do l. No, I don 't want any I was just wonder- ing it' you sold it. Ilo you sell Racheal powder f? You know Reuben and Rachealf' You have. XVell, call the XVestern Iinion sometime and ask for a girl who uses it and maybe you can sell her some. Do you think my sister, you know the one who has the three lovely chil-Oh. you're not interested, either. Do I want any- thing? No. I was just wondering if you thought my sister would like any powder, but it you don t lvnou iny sister you couldn't savg and on second thought she has plentv of bowder. and l've decided she wouldn't want any. Bye, bye,