Sheldon Williams Collegiate - Opus Yearbook (Regina, Saskatchewan Canada)

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THE RIVALS Set to the music of some guy named Mozart and full of all the daintiness, delicacies, dignity and decorum demanded in England in 1775, Sheldon-Williams pre¬ sented its major drama, “The Rivals . We all felt that the play would be a great success, although it was very demanding on the players and on Dr. Peart, our faithful, tolerant and, generally, good- natured director. Dr. Peart was very optimistic, and well should have been. He said we had a great cast and a great play to work with. A novel method of changing scenery was used. There were two large, movable triangles with scenes painted on each of their three sides. Three costumed scene changers, all very dignified, perfect and proper, came out and moved them. This was very well accepted by the audience. Tension mounted as the last few moments of wait¬ ing ticked off and the play began. The action began on a street in Bath, a resort area in England. We find, through a conversation between Fag (played by Jack Thrasher) and Thomas, a coachman (played by Ron Joorisity), that a Captain Jack Absolute, Fag’s master (played by Jack Ebbels) dis¬ guised as Ensign Beverley, is in love with a girl named Miss Lydia Languish who loves him better as a “half¬ pay Ensign than as “son and heir to Sir Anthony Absolute . Unknown to Jack, Jack’s father (played by Doug Edy) and Lydia’s tough old guardian aunt named Mrs. Malaprop (played by Barb Cameron) have bound them in a contract of marriage. As Lydia doesn’t know of Jack’s true identity, she is against the marriage. There is also a rich country boob named Acres (played by Lynn Anderson) who thinks himself Lydia’s lover. Inspired by an Irish baronet, Sir Lucius O’Trigger (played by Warren Caragata), to whom Mrs. Malaprop is partial, Acres challenges “this Beverley” (alias Jack Absolute) to a duel. Because Sir Lucius is led to believe by Lucy, Lydia’s maid (played by Linda Scott), that Lydia is the one who loves him and not Mrs. Malaprop, he also chal¬ lenges Captain Absolute to a duel. In another part of Bath, Lydia ' s cousin, Julia (played by Arla-Rae Parker), and a Mr. Faulkland (played by Sam Stewart) are having a love affair. They quarrel and separate. In the last scene, the duel between Beverley and Acres is called off because Acres finds out that Beverley is Absolute, his good friend, and the duel between Sir Lucius and Absolute is stopped in the nick by Sir Anthony. Sir Lucius realizes his mistake and gives up. Faulkland and Julia come back to each other and Sir Anthony proposes marriage to Mrs. Malaprop. In the end their happiness is as “unalloyed as general . The curtain closes on a little minuet and all is well. The play, naturally, was a terrific success. Dr. Peart was happy, the players were happy, the audience was happy. Other actors were David, Acres’ servant (played by Terry Goldie) and three other servants, doubling as the hard working scene changers, namely Linda Cleveland, Richard Brown and.myself, Doug McEachen. FALL SHOW The Fall Show was, again, a marked success. This year’s show featured variety. It displayed all of Sheldon’s musical groups, plus solo, quartets, duets, and trios. Participating were the Band, Glee Club, Misfits, Sheldonettes and Orchestra (all old stand-by ' s). Also introduced into the show was a Trumpet Quartet, a Folk Song duo, a Girls’ Trio, a solo by Penny McKillop and some folk selections by Rod Spooner. We are deeply grateful to the Music Department and especially to Mr. Thurber, our Music Director, a new and valuable addition to the teaching faculty, for making the show as much or more of a success than ever. DOUG McEACHEN HOUSE PLAYS Sheldon’s house plays were presented on February 17 and 18 to a record audience. The adjudicator, Mr. Russ Waller, chose Delta’s play, “A Winter’s Night, directed by Jim Armit and Fraser Howard, as the best play. He commended players Francie Ratner and Bob Miller for their excellent performances. Second place went to Kappa’s play, “Make Room For Rodney , with commenda¬ tions for Jim Ebbels, Carol Patterson, and Lynda Johnson. Kappa’s play was directed by Bev Bumyeat and Ruth Mesbur. “The Ring Game , Alpha’s play directed by Dana Dukart, received third place. Mr. Waller commended Paul Viminitz and Phil Walsh. Other players to receive special notice were Bob Turgeon and Terry Goldie, Omega; Dave Stewart, Sigma; Dave Ellis, Larry Curtis, and Barb Cameron, Beta. Judging from the comments of the actors involved and the audience ' s obvious apprecia¬ tion, the two nights were an immense success. Mr. Waller’s valuable appraisal of their acting was well appreciated by all the actors. GAIL EVANS 69

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Barb Cameron Music Directress Dana Dukart Alpha I, W ■ • Aria Rae Parker Beta Jim Armit Delta Bev Burnyeat Kappa Linda Cleveland Sigma Susan Kaket Omega Carol Patterson Drama Directress MUSIC The music program has been more varied than usual this year. The major groups formed were the Glee Club, the Sheldon- ettes and the Orchestra. The Glee Club became a singing workshop where the mem¬ bers practised the basics of singing such as dynamics, harmony and voice control. As well as a workshop it was an opportunity to sing just for enjoyment without having to worry about per¬ formances. Another enjoyable group was the Sheldonettes. It was a more select group of about 30 girls who tried for perfection singing in three parts. This group formed the chorus for the operetta as well as the backbone of the Glee Club. The orchestra jumped into the limelight this year because of its part in the operetta. The orchestra was the first in any Regina high school to be used to accompany a complete operetta. Although it had a little trouble getting started, by performance time it was one of the outstanding features of the operetta. These three main music activities were supplemented by several other groups. A Woodwind Quintet, a Brass Choir and a String Quartet were formed later in the year. Also an A Capella Choir was formed, which valiantly tried to master the art of singing unaccompanied. The major performance in which all the music groups as well as many soloists participated was the Fall Show, held late in November. The program was varied and appealed to all tastes. The final and biggest production of the year was the operetta “Springtime”. It was the old story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl, but with many unusual twists. The chorus was very effective in creating just the right carefree atmosphere and the major characters played their parts very well. The set was magnificent and I would like to thank Mr. Betteridge and the set design club and Mr. McAnsh and the stage crew for all their work to build and paint it. Mr. Thurber and Dr. Peart must be congratulated again for creating “Springtime” in early March — a feat which even the weatherman couldn’t accomplish. Despite the fact that music on the house level hasn’t been too successful this year with only one showcase produced so far, I feel that every music activity has accomplished something worthwhile. DRAMA There were no hesitations in getting the drama activities for the 1965-66 year off to a good start! Dr. Peart called for readings and try-outs for this year’s production “The Rivals” by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the second week of school. The play was an eighteenth century comedy concerning the love life of two young and lovely cousins, Lydia Languish and Julia Melville. Aided by elaborate costuming and intriguing set designs, the play was a wonderful success. Special thanks go to Dr. Peart and all the cast, not forgetting the backstage crews, for a job well done. Thanks kids! As soon as the fall play was over rehearsals began for the Drama Festival. The Festival was held on February 17th and 18th; it was adjudicated by Mr. Russ Waller. The plays are chosen, directed, acted and staged entirely by the student body. Mr. Waller had a difficult time choosing the top three winners, but after much consideration decided upon Delta, first; Kappa, second; Alpha, third. Congratulations students! Participation in these plays was amazing and their popularity is growing rapidly year by year. We had a record ticket sale and turnout this year. I hope its success will continue as it helps to encourage House rivalry as well as individual com¬ petition. Behind the scenes, the Drama Directorate has been working on a scrapbook of the previous five years’ Drama Festivals. We feel this will be useful for posterity and help to establish the tradition. The Directorate also had Delta put on its House play, “A Winter’s Night”, as an S.R.C. showcase on Friday, April 18. Being the Drama Director, has given me invaluable experi¬ ence in leadership, which I know will be useful in the future. This office, besides giving responsibility, has been an exciting adventure and a thrilling experience to participate in its activi¬ ties. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who elected me to fill this position as Drama Director. The Music-Drama Reps also deserve a big hand for their co-operation and aid in carrying out ticket sales, directing house plays and gathering material for the scrap book. My many thanks to you people. So another successful year comes to a close. To those of you who will carry on next year I extend my sincerest con¬ gratulations and wish you the best in everything. CAROL PATTERSON 68

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SHELDONETTES The Sheldonettes, directed by Mr. Thurber, sang at the Fall Show, for the Commencement Exercises, and also at the Carol Festival at Knox-Metropolitan Church. Their selections varied from religious songs to hits from Broadway Plays and some popular music. The chorus and female principals of “Springtime” were chosen mainly from the Sheldonettes. About thirty girls, accompanied by pianist Jackie Schwartz, practised each Friday at noon. ■■I GLEE CLUB This year, Glee Club met each Wednesday noon. This group was essentially a training group. From the Glee Club evolved the Sheldonettes, Misfits, and the A Capella Choir. MISFITS “A propos”-—for those who know French. Maybe, but not really, because the boys who sing in this group are certainly not misfits. The tune does become a little varied once in a while, but as anyone who tries to sing knows, that is normal. This year, the Misfits sang at the Fall Show and got a rousing applause. ORCHESTRA This year, Mr. Thurber used the orchestra to accompany the operetta, “Spring¬ time”, something which has not been successfully done previously in this high- school’s musicals. Aided by Mr. Blackman, the orchestra has added valuable support to the music of “Springtime”. The orchestra also played at Commence¬ ments and the Fall Show. A CAPELLA This choir is a new group, begun by Mr. Thurber, comprising a select mixed choir of singers. As their name implies, they sing without the accompaniment of any musical instruments. The group meets each Tuesday and is a welcome addition to Sheldon’s numerous other music clubs. 70