University of Western Ontario - Occidentalia Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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22 WESTERN U GAZETTE OUR UNIVERSITY PLAY .Oiico again the time approaches when anyone who has any comiection with Western University will have an o])]K)r- tunity of seeing the best dramatic talent of the University in tlieir annual theatrical ])rocluction. The university play has won such a hig ' h and well-deserved rejiutation among the theatre-going jjublic of London that it is eagerly looked forward to among the dramatic events of the year. Western may well be x roud of the interest that it arouses. Amateur productions are always an object of great interest and curiosity to the friends and relatives of the perform- ers, but the achievements of the talented students of Western in the past years have far surpassed the stage wdiere they are simply objects of interest and curios- ity to admiring friends. In the performance o Green Stock- ings at the Patricia Theatre in 1919, with a few exceptions, the imi)ortant parts were played by first year students. The talent shown was a revelation to everyone, and even exceeded expectations the following year in the production of An Ideal Husband. It is small won- der, therefore, that the performance this year should arouse more than the usual amount of interest. The play is to be pre- sented, both a matinee and evening per- formance, on May 26 at the Grand Oprea House. The author is the well-known playwright, Clyde Fitch, and the title is Her Own Way. The fact that it was performed at the Lyric Theatre and later vVt the Savoy, London, England, by such a noted actress as Maxine Elliot is an added recommendation. The main characters are being played by tlie following : Miss Margaret Gemmell, Miss Blanch Taneock, Miss Mary Granger, Miss Helen Berdan, Mr. Waring, Mr. Winston Harrison and Mr. Beverley Baker. Miss Gemmell, who is taking the lead- ing part, is one of the most experienced and successful amateur actresses who has ever carried a lead in a Western produc- tion. Her first appearance as the sus- ceptible and sympathetic Aunt Ida in Green Stockings attracted a great deal of attention, and anyone who had the pleasure of witnessing her intensely dra- matic performance of Mrs. Cheveley in An Ideal Husband last year will not soon be able to forget the impression it ])roduced. We understand that this year Miss Gemmell is undertaking an entirely different role, and we wish her as great a success as she had last year. In our private opinion that ' s the best wish w e can give anyone. It is much to be re- gretted that this is the last time we will have the opportunity of seeing Miss Gem- mell in an undergraduate production. The w ord undergraduate suggests an idea. We wonder if the graduates of Western could ever find the time among their many activities to produce a play in order to show the ])resent students the high dramatic talent of previous years. Once again the cast includes a badly treated wife — we can ' t get away from them — this year portrayed, and accord- ing to whispered rumors, most ably por- trayed by Miss Blanch Taneock. The majority of us remember Miss Taneock as the attractive young person w ho became very much engaged in the last act of An Ideal Husband, but unknown to many Miss Taneock was also a power behind the scenes in Green Stockings. Miss Gran- ger also had a part in the latter play, but our more recent remembrance of her ability as an actress was in the II. K. Players performance of The MoUuse. Miss Berdan, another rumor whispers, is carrying most of the comedy this year. We saw Miss Berdan as Gertrude the Governess and w e have confidence in her ability to supply amusement. It naturally follows that if there is a badly treated wdfe there must be a hus- band somewhere. Mr. Harrison, a new- comer on the list of Western players, is portraying this role, and in connection with this we have heard still another rumor, but we are not going to give away any more secrets. Suffice it to say that it is not by deliberate intention that he makes his w ife unhai)py. Mr. Waring and Mr. Baker are also both making their first appearance in a University play this year, but they have M

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24 VVKSTKKN U GAZETTE both had previous experience, which promises well. The rest of tlie cast include Miss Mary Marshall, Miss (Jwcno Williams, Miss Alison Buchncr, Miss Eleanor 2iI( ' ( ' ormick and I Ir. Jack McWil iiams. And the whole ])erf()ruuincc is luidcr the able di- rection of Miss -lean Walker. Apart from the i)layers themselves the play is under the business mana ' cship of Mr. Fred James. Miss Shirley White ir, mistress of the wardrobe and Miss Helen Baker is in charge of the stage settings and properties. Miss Baker filled the same position so capably last year and the effects she, achieved were so artistic and pleasing that we are delighted to hear of her appointment again this year. The importance of the stage settings is often overlooked by the uninitiated, and it war; the luianimous o])inion of the cast last year that Miss Baker should also take the final curtain call. However during the day Miss Baker had practically performed tlie work of two stage hands, besides supervising all the scene shifting, and not caring to appear in public remained modestly in the wings. It we might be permitted to offer an- other idea since we won ' t have the for- tiuie to have Miss Baker with us another year, Vvc would suggest that she be given an assistant, who may thvis acquire a cer- tain amount of exi)erience and be better able to fill this position next year. Her Own Way ' gives ])romise of be- ing a performance that is well worth see- ing, and we advise everyone to get their tickets early — not to avoid the rush, al- though such a thing might be possible — but to give the players the added con- fidence of knowing that they will be play- ing to a well-filled house. —Thalia. TO TWENTY-ONE When Alma Mater ' s doors behind yon close Upon the scene of all your works and woes, Your toils and trimphs as the record shows, We ' ll miss you. For all the care and pains you took with us, And all the wisdom rare you taught to us ; When freshies green you showed the way to us. We thank you. And now you ' ve blazed a trail for us you know, The torch you left shall like a beacon show, That sheds its light above us as we go. Behind you. We bid you each and all farewell to-day; We hope you ' ll each have luck along your way ; We see the work you ' ve done so well and say: God bless you ! — Karamanen.