Phillips Exeter Academy - PEAN Yearbook (Exeter, NH)

Page 19 text:

DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION President: Malcolm C. Peyton Vice-President: C. Crady Creen Secretary: William 1. Nicoson Advisers: lvlr. Everett Mr. lvlayher Mr. Scott Mr. Stevens This year the Dramatic Association en- joyed one of the most successful seasons it has ever had. Beginning with Henry IV, Part 'I, which Mr. Scott termed the most ambitious production ever done at Exeter, the club met its challenge admirably, both in production and in acting. The produc- tion crew, under the direction of Mr. Stev- ens and Dick Higgins, constructed a beauti- ful and impressive main set-King Henry's court. By a clever use of draperies, the set was transformed into a Welsh castle and the Boar's Head Tavern. The costumes. like the set, were very striking and colorful. BAND The main part of Henry IV deals with the revolt of Harry Percy lHotspurl against King Henry. At the instigation of his wily uncle Worcester, Hotspur enlists the aid of many noblemen discontented with Henry's harsh rule. To add dramatic interest to this history, Shakespeare has shown the change of Henry's son, Prince Hal, from a reckless libertine to a capable and mature leader. His wild pursuits introduce a group of his tavern compatriots, headed by Sir john Fal- staff. The play offers a great variety of roles both in serious and comic characters. The cast was excellent, and, according to Mr. Scott, gave a mature and intelligent performance. lvlac Peyton, as Henry, dis- carded his usual comedy roles and played the King with dignity and authority. Bill Nicoson, playing the part of Prince Hal, showed remarkable versatility in success- fully capturing the alternating serious and comic moods. The association found a great addition in Charles Shultz, a new Senior, who played the rebel Hotspur. He caught the fire and spirit of the part, and his timing First Row: Mr. Sirois, R. Irving, Huck. C-. jackson, Osterhus, Scott, Swenson, Drinker, Hill, Heaton, Rhine, Sisson, Second Row: Ramsden, lackrnan, L. Wheeler, Bond, Francisco, W. Ceorge, Thorpe, K. johnson, Calingaert, Swan. Third Row: Plath, C. W. Wilson, Feingold. lsrael, Garfield. McConaghie, R. Evans, Wright, Flagler. N091

Page 18 text:

Eglflfliiwf 3 P. E. A. ORCHESTRA 1949-50 THE ROYAL EXONIANS THE BAND Leader: Philip Drinker Adviser: Mr. Sirois The band opened its season at the third football game and played during the re- maining ones, but it was rained out several times. Although the band was bigger this ROYAL EXONIANS Leader: james C. Suits Adviser: Mr. Landers The Royal Exonians were fourteen strong this year, boasting three violins, four saxes, three brasses, piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Its repertoire consisted mainly of old favorites with a scat- tering of the more sane modern numbers and a touch of South American rhythms. The band was led by lim Suits, who manned the alto sax and clarinet. New faces, new style, and new pieces sparked Nineteen - fifty's Royal Exonians. s' year than it was last year, it still looked very small next to the Andover forces. To stimulate interest in the band this year Mr. Saltonstall gave a banquet for the marchers. The Friday before the Andover game, the band played in chapel and was well re- ceived. ln the winter term, members were outfitted for the spring term with white ducks. iiosi

Page 20 text:

seemed almost professional. john Benedict's portrayal of Falstaff was marvelous, his facial expressions, gestures, and stage busi- ness were responsible, in a large way, for the favorable reaction of the audience. A vigorous supporting cast also helped to put the play over. Sean Sweeney, Grover Amen, john Schubert, and Tom Whedon added much life to the comedy scenes. The female parts were well played by Rene Tillich, Fred Bunnell, and Bob Forrester, who scored a hit with his rendition of a Welsh love song. The music, arranged from Elizabethan tunes by Sam Pottle, gave authenticity to the production, without being merely quaint. As a contrast to Shakespeare, the asso- ciation chose Samuel and Bella Spewack's Boy Meets Girl for the winter play, a choice which was highly approved by the audience. lt proved to be the biggest audience-success in years. The play is a satire on Hollywood's entertainment factory, and it abounds with the weird denizens of that community, the two hack-writers who are always getting a culture-seeking director into scraps, a worn- out cowboy actor and his agent, a studio waitress whose illegitimate baby is put into pictures, a genteel English actor, and a zany staff of secretaries. musicians, and mani- curists. Charles Schultz and Tom Whedon, the writers, kept the show going at a hila- rious pace with their gags and histrionics, and Bill Nicoson, as C.F. , the director, added another to his series of successes. Graham Fernald was wonderfully funny as the stiff Britisher. ln the role of the waitress, Susie, Tim Wilson proved to be the most accomplished prep-actor seen here for several years, A strong supporting cast included Albert Hinckley, Mac Peyton, Sam Pottle, john Benedict, and four mysterious trumpeters. The set of C. F.'s office was perfect. There was the usual desire to write a musical for the spring play, but when the plan fell through, the contest centered on Maxwell Anderson's High Tor and Bernard Shaw's Devil's Disciple. The Shaw play was chosen, and the leading roles were taken by Schultz, Nicoson, Wilson, and Mac Peyton. be 9, bfi ykffkfx krfk-4' 2, fl., L Y' l-sJ't6i1LG 7 f . ' fl .i l 1 Vf' lc' K' lA 'lc lei, ll JJ0- ll-vi dba THE DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION iiioj