Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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The Voyageur Glee Club HPATIENCEH ' HIS YEAR the Glee Club tackled HPatience -its eleventh annual Gilbert and Sullivan offering. This operetta, which presents unique problems to secondary school glee clubs, has been produced twice at Pickering College with outstanding success. This success was achieved through effective stag- ing, hard-working and enthusiastic choruses, and a group of experienced principals who are old Gilbert and-'Sullivan troupers. The boys, chorus was the largest in the history of the Glee Club. By dint of an enthusiastic persistence, they mastered the intricacies of the part- singing and gave a snap to the precision routines which set a standard for the show. The entrance of the chorus of dragoon guards marked a high point in Pickering College productions. This military smartness contrasted dra- matically with the languor of the rapturous maidens who contrived to be aesthetic without being anaesthetic, a choral feat of no small proportions. HPatiencew makes great demands on the girls' chorus, but this year's group caught the spirit of the part and handled the difficult interpretations with conviction, their treatment of Bunthorne's entrance in the finale of the first act was particularly good. Both choruses blended perfectly in ensemble numbers, the scintillating double chorus, HNOW, is not this ridiculous , brought flattering comments from some very competent critics. When we consider that the choruses were trained under no less than four pianists, the calibre of their work appears Worthy of high praise. In addition to Alice Rourke, Maire Jackson, Elizabeth Beer, Gertrude Clarke, Dorothy Pipher, and Robert E. K. Rourke, all of Whom took impor- tant principal roles with distinction, the cast of principals included members of the student body. Ward Cornell, as Grosvenor, won very favorable recog- nition for his interpretation of a difficult role, he teamed with Bunthorne in some very effective scenes. David Cottrill fa superb Colonell, Murray Gill fa dashing Majorl, and Daniel Sherry fa distinguished Dukej, formed a trio of dragoon officers capable of capitalizing on every situation. Their aesthetic trio. uIt's true that mediaeval art , was nothing short of a riot of restrained merrimentg they were, indeed, ujolly utterw. Peter Schopflocher was an able solicitor, as well as a capable chorister. 22

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The Voyageur Much talk is heard nowadays about the better world we will create. Do you realize that you are to be its architects and its builders? Some founda- tions may be laid before you take over but the principal structure will be yours to erect. Even at that, part of the foundations will need relaying for there will be those who will try to sabotage this new world of yours. Evil will not be swept from the face of the earth with the defeat of the axis powers and may you be specially on guard against those who imply that it will. In closing I would ask you then, is manis sense of wonder still alive in you? Do you look forward to progress and change? Are you ready and eager, each man according to his capacity, to accept the challenge that will be and is already yours? Do you see your education as a pathway to a broader and a fuller life? Do you see as did Ulysses ueach experience as an arch where through gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades forever and forever as we move . Have you, in short, a zest for living? Six thousand years of our history have gone by. No longer may we share in the magic beliefs of the primitives. The paganism of Egypt is denied us at this time. The heroes of the Greeks have passed away. The ghosts and goblins of Shakespeareas day have left the earth. What Copernicus and Galileo found in the heavens is our common knowledge. We inhabit the very continent which barred Columbus, way to the Indies. Science has multiplied our creature comforts to abundance. Do you, therefore, complain of monotony or futility or boredom? Then come to me and tell me that the great mystery of the source of life has been solved. Then come to me and tell me that you have spanned eternity or measured inhnity. Come then to me and let me know the meaning of man's existence here. Reduce to a theorem for me the problem of good and evil. Sum up in a few well chosen words the meaning of truth and beauty. Say to me that you have conquered death itself or visited the outer reaches of the cosmos. Tell me then that you can define the true nature of art or that you can put down on paper the eternal appeal of music. Show me a work- ingmodel of the brave new world you have created where men may live in continual peace and happiness one with another. When you can do all these, l will admit that life no longer holds a challenge for you, that monotony and boredom have set in and that you may rest, for wonder has indeed passed from the face of the earth. But until that day I would urge you: be aware. Learn all you can. Do all you can. Give all that is yours to give. Remember that adventure awaits the adventurer alone, the stuff of poetry lies ready to the poet's hand, the secrets of science are for those who have eyes to see, and the joys of living are to be tasted only by those who have zest for life. 21

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The Voyatgeur The stage crew designed and created two beautiful sets. Fredllaganis backdrop and accessories gave the whole performance a finishing touch of almost professional quality, which was accentuated by the valuable con- tributions of Rudy Renzius, Mrs. Renzius, Wilfred Coutu, William lVIaresch, and other members of the school community. The director was exceptionally fortunate in finding John Newmark, a pianist extraordinary, who came to Pickering at the last moment and saw the show through its final rehearsals and the performances. uPatience of 1943, despite the many difficulties of the times, attracted audiences that were gratifyingly large and merits the right of being listed among the most successful productions of our Clee Club. Dramatic Club BROTHER ORCHID HE DRAMATIC CLUB last fall was under considerable pressure from its senior members to break away from the Shakespearean trend of the last few years and present a modern drama a little more within the grasp of amateur actors. After much searching the directors, Messrs. Beer and lVIosey, hit upon HBrother Urchidn, which had been filmed some time before, and had the happy combination of an all male cast, lots of action, interesting characterizations and also some social significance. The Club owes a real debt to Mr. Hagan for sets which certainly have never been surpassed in its history and also many thanks to lVlr. Jackson for the splendid way inwhich he handled the lighting of the stage. As for the acting itself, although one might find the usual criticisms of an amateur production, we believe that on the whole it was finished and sustained. Cornell portrayed the difficult transition from gangster to brother with ad- mirable skill and carried the audience with him throughout. Eshelby's portrayal of Brother Nasturtium with glimpses of his own sense of comedy shining through added a colourful touch to the play. Mareschis handling of Battista, the frightened ltalian, was a job of real acting. Mossop as the 23