Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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DRAMATICS - Merchant of Venice To commemorate the four-hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare's birth and to inaugurate the new stage built lastsummer,the Dramatic Club of Pickering College presented the immortal bard's popular comedy i'The Merchant of Venice . The theme and story of the play are well known, undoubtedly highlighted by the famous personage of Shylock, the shrewd, money-mad, usurer of Venice. Since Shylock is a Jew, false charges of prejudice have often been levelled against Shakespeare. This is not fair as Shylock is reallyjustatype, a victim of his peculiar environment. The play, however, is saved from degenerating into a mere morality play by the inclusion of the casket story around which a delicate and delicious love story is woven which also includes the Jew's beautiful daughter. Hence, the actors have two themes upon which to work and these, in turn, serve as vehicles for the expression of their acting abilities. This year we were treated to some of the finest acting talent ever to have been witnessed at Pickering College. Much of the play sparkled and shone owing to the accomplished performances by many of the cast. First honours must go to Bob Grande for his absolutely tremendous portrayal of Shylock. Never once did Grande falter or miscue. By the time the play opened on the first evening, Grande had perfected the part to suit his own considerable acting talents. He had the speech, the manners fespecially the rubbing of the fingers of one handy, the appearance, and the demeanour of the character. He was always the shrewd, grasping, demanding money- lender,everwatchfulofhis cherished fortune and ever watchful of an oppor- tunity toincreaseit and, at the same time, to strike a blow at the miserable Christians. Really, words fail one in attempting to describe the vigour, vitality, discipline and emotional temper which Grande exuded in handling his role. It was a superb performance. Ninetee

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1 rudy if-.91 'FAA 2 Back: P. Gardner, R. Russel, A. Shully, J. Wright, J. Cook Middle: Mr. Lundgren, R. Forbes, E. Preston, J. Scott, H. Ferguson B. Luxton, P. Palmer, D. Keenan, Mr. Beer Front: J. Grant, P. Stephens, A. Scott, D. Ferris, D. Moore D. Boulton, J. Munro The School Committee At the beginning of each term Pickering students share a democratic sys- tem of voting for a committee to represent the voice of the students to the staff. This year the voting system was changed: the chairman and four other members are elected by the student body. The chairman of each cor- ridor committee elected by the separate corridors also serves on the com- mittee for his term of office. The function of the committee is to offer leadershipin all possible fields: it acts as a disciplinary body for the stu- dents, when the offense does not conflict with school policy, it takes charge ofschool functions such as dances, New Boy's Day, and many other special- ties ofthe student life in the school. In the winter term six members of the committee did a fine job of making an address in chapel. Each member of the committee holds a specific office and performs a definite function: there is the chairman, secretary-treasurer, rudy or main- tenance man, food man, dress man, social convener, fire chief, athletic convener. custodian of cleanliness, and publications advisor. These stu- dents deal with student affairs with the staff advisor, Mr. Lundgren, Two meetings aweek are usually held - one with the staff advisor and the other with the student assembly where they have the opportunity to voice their complaints or suggestions to the committee. I would like to thank this year's student body for the co-operation and fine spirit which they demonstrated. Dave Ferris, Eighteen

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