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

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SPRINGTIME Hurrah! It is spring! Bring on the music, the flowers . . . the girls! Off to that lovely Long Island Estate where you (and someone else) can become lost in all those garden paths, walks and bowers. So off went Lee Cooper, Brent Sanderson and their college friends to Lee’s aunt’s country estate which, by now, was bursting with loveliness and lovely, but lonely, girls, where they threw themselves right into Reinhardt and Steiner’s charming musical comedy “Springtime”. And so it was, as our S.R.C. presented its annual spring show which was, in many re¬ spects, an unprecedented success and quite different from any musical production Sheldon had previously produced. Although not as well known as most, the music was very pleasing, lyrical and happy, and was well received and enjoyed by the audience. It featured a 20- piece pit orchestra, playing for the entire performance, plus an overture and an entre-act. The show took place on a Thursday and Friday night (for a change) and also, for a first time, we added a matinee on the following Wednesday. When Lee (played by Paul Viminitz) and his college chums arrive, they meet with a swarm of now much less lonely and still as lovely, girls. Lee and Brent meet Judy Cooper, Lee’s sister (played by Linda Cleveland) who becomes much more interested in Brent than in Lee. (With Brent, played by Ian Mason, meeting Judy meant love at first sight). While Judy and Brent are off in one of those bowers I mentioned, Lee, in peering over the garden wall, meets Poebe Rand (Penny McKillop) a bucolic, friendly and cute, girl next door. Need I say more? During the course of this meeting, Judy and Brent intercept a telegram intended for Judy’s aunt (Mrs. Barrington), stating that an expected guest (a Baroness) will not be able to arrive. To keep Lee’s aunt from disappointment, Phoebe, Lee, Judy and Brent decide to have Phoebe, whom Mrs. Barrington has never seen, pose as the Baroness and Brent as her manager. At this time, Mrs. Barrington (Barb Cameron) enters, followed dumpily up by the stuffy (but really very sweet) Major Frost (Peter Stewart) and our friends begin to put their plan into effect. The action merrily continues. Phoebe’s ruse is working under the noses of Mrs. Barring¬ ton, John Rand, Phoebe’s crochety and cantankerous father (played by Warren Carragata) and a caustic young male gossip named Rupert Hancock (Rick McKillop) whose “nose for news” smells out the plan which he does his best to foil. During the course of the action to follow, Lee and Phoebe, Judy and Brent and even the Major and Mrs. Barrington, take the big step inevitably leading to matrimony. The former pair did this most romantically, the latter most hilariously. The high point of the action arrives when Jenkins, the b utler (played by Terry Goldie), announces the arrival of the real Baroness (played alternately by Francis Gordon and Carol Patterson). The deception is disclosed but all is forgiven as merrily as a wedding bell. The curtain came down both nights on a success, again separating a very happy cast from an entranced audience unwilling to leave behind, the spring they found to face the reality of a cold March evening. We have many people to thank for the production of this musical. Special mention goes to Mr. Blackman who helped Mr. Thurber out with the orchestra, to Mr. Betteridge and Mr. McAnsh who created spring with the sets, to Dr. Peart who helped direct the show and, of course, to Mr. Thurber, our hard-working and battle-weary music director, without whom we would never have had a show. D. McEACHEN

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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

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