Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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Society in the helicopter age was the theme chosen by the Sixth Form for their play. To escape from relatives and friends the young married couple decided to honeymoon via helicopter. But on receiving prompt visits from the mother-in-law, her friends, the Fuller Brush Man, and sundry others who helicoptered in on them unannounced — and finally by a troupe of Boy Scouts who came jettocoptering through the airways, all hope for peace and quiet was shattered. The groom added the necessary touch of tragedy by suiciding his way out of this mad new world. In The World In Which We Live the Lower Fifth depicted the Masters at work and the boys at play. Some new light was thrown on classroom methods and procedure, and it is rather interesting to note that since the presentation of this skit, the mortality graphs of school masters have shown a decided up-trend and, as a consequence, insurance rates for all pedagogues have sky-rocketed. The Seventh Form provided a good-looking and variegated octette travelling by air-liner. Their several conversations were delivered with polish and aplomb; the air-hostess got these successfully mixed up as she made her rounds, and the result was a devastating hodge-podge nicely salted with topical slander. DRAMATICS Two plays of considerable merit were staged during the Lent Term. On the evening of March 28th, six brave boys appeared before the footlights to present Clemence Dane ' s Shivering Shocks under the able direction of Mr. C. M. D. Eales. A clever bit of detective work by Tuttle, who successfully ad-libbed his way through his part, prevented the discovery of the secret formula . Elmaleh, as the Scientist, and Louis I, as Captain Dallas, played their parts like old stage hands, while Bellm, Bayly and Patrick lived up to the reputation of all good boys, by being often seen but seldom heard. This was followed by Ici On Parle Francais , presented by an able sextette, directed by Mr. Larsen, who played the role of landlord in his usual pleasing style. Experimenting on an appeal to attract tourist trade by pretentions to the French language placed this enterprising gentleman in some hilariously embarrassing situations. Much to his chagrin his venture in the world of business bore little fruit — except the acquisition of a new son-in-law, in the person of one Victor Dubois, admirably played by Mr. Hyde-Lay, whose Je ne sais quoi lent to the whole a distinctly Parisian atmosphere. The demonstration by Burr of how an irate husband can successfully and unrestrainedly blow a fuse will long be remembered. Webster, Pinkerton, Loughary and Clark rounded out the cast in a delightfully refreshing manner. It was a difficult play very effectively performed and skillfully directed. 11

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THE RAG CONCERT One evening in the good old days, when numbers were few but enthusiasm keen, an impromptu programme was arranged to add zest to the school life. From this humble beginning grew our present Rag Concert, an annual event eagerly looked forward to by all. While it is no longer impromptu, yet to the casual observer who views the spectacle for the first time, it may appear very much so. Originators of the idea feel, however, that the prepared version lacks the spontaneity which gave to their performance that sparkling humor so entertainingly provided by unexpected diversions from the plot. The Thirty- N iner s say, Our performance was of a higher calibre than that of the present day. But the Forty-Niner ' s say, It ' s getting better every year. So, the assessment of the true worth of the finished product would appear to depend largely on the viewpoint of the beholder. Each may well say: J wad the guid Lord to others wad gie The gift to see myself as 1 see me. However, since opinion striking against opinion ignites the spark that kindles the light of truth, there is every reason to hold high hopes for the future. The curtain-raiser for this year ' s concert was provided by Forms I and II in their play, The Mad Tea Party , a scene from Alice in Wonderland. King capably portrayed a golden-haired Alice; Lawson II, Burns and Jordan together painted in the somewhat hazy features of the Mad Hatter; Robertson, Vandersluys and Hutton sketched the foibles of the March Hare; and Ford, Ferris and Lawson I slumbered through the action as Dormice. In the Remove B skit Parkinson led the singing in a touching song to Mother in One Big Happy Family , and displayed rare musical talent which Mr. Galliford had not hitherto suspected he possessed. Groves ' House presented a satire on boys who suddenly acquire convenient ailments, but who, under the spell of modern medical tech- nique, convalesce with amazing rapidity. In the ready response to applied quackery of such rare maladies as inflammation of the imagina- tion, many highly amusing situations were provided. Putnam, as prosecuting attorney in Ripley ' s mock trials supplied a little comedy. Riley, as judge, meted out justice without fear or favour to all miscreants brought before the Bar of Justice until one Mrs. Trician (Casselman), by her womanly wiles and wistful smiles, quite upset his judicial equilibrium. Lake ' s followed with a beauty contest in which several engaging young ladies vied for honours. Judges Callahan, Berry and Wright, differing widely in their tastes, experienced some difficulties in placing the sparkling beauties; but there is little doubt that Harvey ' s grace and charm would have received the official nod had it not been for the burlesque entry of Tuttle just at that time, which threw the proceedings into complete confusion. The Upper Fifth staged a melodramatic performance in which the realistic acting of Webster and Pinkerton stole the spotlight. 10

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THE MOON The inky blackness of night had already crept over the earth, swallowing it up as it went. All things, even the wind and the animals, were quiet in the stillness of the night. Not a star shone in the sky and, as a result of this, the re was a more gloomy, depressing atmosphere about the air. Then, out of nowhere the moon peeped inquisitively round a cloud, showering its light onto the lonely ground in such a way as to draw everybody ' s attention to its magnificence. Then, little by little, in a rather shy manner it slowly came out of its hiding place, revealing its shiny globe to the inhabitants of the sky. In less than five minutes the dreary half-frightening night had been turned into a field of light. The moon always seemed to bring with it a peculiar warmth that banished all the evils of the night and drew one nearer to its brilliance. David Bellm. 12