Riverbend School for Girls - Vox Fluminis Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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VOX FLUMINIS 31 The play was a great success and we all feel that it is a credit to its director and to those who took part in it. J .J . SENIOR PLAY FROM THE INSIDE THE Senior Dramatic Club got considerable enjoyment out of the production of Quality Street. Of course, it-had its unfortunate moments. It was not on the whole a pleasant sensation when after much hurrying, scrambling, and going without breakfast, one pre- sented oneself at about two minutes after ten, only to be met by reproachful glances and still more reproachful words, You've held up the whole thing, everyone has been waiting for positively hours. Then there was the time when everyone within earshot heard one of the staff hysterically proclaim that there was a man in the house! Her bedspread and window curtains were gone. However, it was a false alarm. They were soon discovered gracing the Blue and Vtfhite Room of Quality Street. The last rehearsal was a hilarious one. The subject of our merri- ment was our heroine's fPhoebe of the ringletsb headgear. In order to hide her celebrated coiffure in the schoolroom scene, Phoebe wore a bonnet which had been quite obviously manufactured from a piece of curtain. With its long ties floating in the air and its much be- puckered crown, it presented quite a dazzling sight. Imagine alas! the far from stifled merriment when our Phoebe arrived on the stage for the pathetic scene with her bonnet on back to front! She de- fended herself afterwards by declaring that one of the brighter members of the cast had insinuated that it might be more becoming that way. We all had our pet worries the night of the play. Susan confided to me afterwards, ''Iwaspetrif1edthatIwouldeitherfillthecupstoover- flowingormissthemaltogether.3' And poor Patty, already notorious for dropping things, had to carry a loaded tray all the way across the room. Peggie Willson, one of Napoleonis noble adversaries at Waterloo, feared that during the duel in the ballroom scene, she might not only lose her life, but also her trousers. Jean Vinson, whose discerning characterization of a prim and proper spinster won her much applause, was greatly worried because she habitually addressed some members of the cast by the wrong name. What is that drone off-stage?-merely Tonsy Guy practising her lines. How to convince Captain Brown that the ball was much too plebeian for her to attend? Should she start at High C and descend? ul- ani ' obt - Credibj - awed a Carglzfnformed that th e WOO11en dfaperss daughter has

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30 VOX FLUMINIS A sudden hush-then a slender, graceful girl in beige with a scarlet sash stepped quietly across him. For the next two hours the pain in his shoulders was forgotten,-he was living in a heaven of glorious sound. Music, applause, roses-more music, more applause, more roses-and then, just when he thought he would collap-se from sheer joy-it was over! Who was she?-this being who could call forth such exclamations of delight from the beautifully gowned ladies and handsome gentlemen as they went down for coffee- such a well-arranged program, better than a Celebrity, charming personality. Surely it couldn't be--yes, it was-his own Maurine, whom he saw every day, tuniced like all the rest, playing for prayers and gym and dancing-and he hadn't recognized her! JUNIOR PLAYS One of the most enjoyable afternoons during the year is the one on which the Junior Plays take place. To the seniors this is usually a complete surprise, for they know nothing of what goes on in the younger grades. This year grades one to four presented Betsy's Wish, and grades five and six The Pot 'of Gold. Both were extremely well performed and we were still more amazed at the talent of the juniors when, between acts, some of the actresses played for us on the piano. T A.R. PRUNELLA N THE evening of December 18 the parents and friends of the pupils of Riverbend enjoyed a presentation of the play Prunella, Behind the scenes the excitement was intense. Miss Fellows hurried around quieting performers and reminding the off-stage noises that the play hadn't started yet. . Soon Miss Sheffield arrived wearing a corsage of orchids which the cast had presented to her. Finally there was a hush and the curtains parted. The play, being directed so well and with the lovely costumes made by Miss Dunlop and her helpers, went through without a mistake. The story was of a young girl, Prunella, played by June L-ear, who ran away with a band -of mummers or strollingplayers. The leader of this company was Pierott, played by Mary Harris. Strange to say, there were no accidents behind scenes due to the timely warnings of Miss Sheffield. Of course, there was the time when the dinner bell, used for clock chimes, nearly fell off the edge of the platform and was heroically rescued by someone-nobody knows who-but there were no major disasters.

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32 VOX FLUMINIS Voluble protests from Miss Carter who declares that it sounds like a gramophone running down. Perhaps it would be better to start at the bottom of the scale and go up. One of the funniest things in the play was to watch Frances and Peggy in their last fond embrace, as they anxiously searched each other's countenance to discover whether they had left any lipstick traces. Imagine an old maid of Quality Street with lipstick on her cheeks! Would that be -ladylike? And the old maids of Quality Street, as well as the girls of Riverbend, are nothing if not ladylike. H.J. SENIOR PLAY FROM THE OUTSIDE MAYBE it is slightly unethical for a member of the school to write a criticism of Riverbend's unparalleled production of J. M. Barrie's immortal play, Quality Street. However, I shall try to present an unbiased opinion. The fact that over half of the char- acters were male, and no males were in evidence did not daunt our versatile body. Our distinctly feminine Peggy Campbell took the part of the dashing', Captain Brown, and interpreted it manfully, showing genuine ability and artistry. Then the role of the recruiting sergeant was creditably presented by Morna Kenny, who even managed to develop a convincing brogue. Honors are here awarded to Phoebe of the Ringletsn fFrances Heakesj, who was so essentially ladylike, and to her timid sister, Susan Throstle fLydia Kleinj. Over all presided Patty QHelen Johnstonb with domineering hand, whose wide grin and humorous portrayal was a high spot in the per- formance The success of the play was predestined with such an able director as Miss Carter, and our deepest appreciation goes out to her for her untiring and constant effort. ' D.R. HOUSE NOTES AT our first meeting of this year we welcomed the new teachers and girls to our houses and elected house officers. Shortly after this we became still better acquainted with one another at the house picnics which were held-Douglas at Charleswood, York at Assini- boine Park and Garry in Fort Garry. During the next few weeks we were all very busily engaged in practising for Sports Day, which was very cold as usual, and ended with York's capture of the Senior cup and Douglas' of the Junior. At Christmas time each house sent a hamper to a poor family, and all were gratefully received. The basketball games resulted n victory for York, but we have yet to see which house will win the Swimming Meet. At the present we are actively engaged in preparations for our annual Lilac Tea which we intend to hold June l.