AN EVENING OF ONE-ACT PLAYS

At the end of the Easter term a programme of four one-act plays was presented to the School and also to an outside audience.

First of all, although contrary to precedent, we must praise the unseen workers without whom no presentation of plays would be possible; those who are responsible for scenery, lights, make-up, and many other back-stage activities. The audience see only the "dramatis person3e" on the lighted stage, with its scenery and effects. How many stop to reflect that without the host of workers behind the scene, the performers in front of the footlights would be helpless?

"SCUTTLEBOOM'S TREASURE" — This was a very enjoyable performance by the Primary boys, who obviously enjoyed the fun as much as the audience did. W. Scott as Slimy Pete was successfully slimy. One felt, however, that the boys of the exploration party, with the exception of lan Aitchison, who played the bad boy as though the part were natural to him, were somewhat stilted in speech and expression, and might have shown more enthusiasm for the joys of a piratical life.

Characters:—   Pirate's  —  Black  Bill, Keith Douglas; Sharky Joe, Roger Lo'gan;

Look-out Man, Charles Brown; Slimy Pete, Warren   Scott;  Jamaica  Jim,,  Roderick McKenzie; Rosebud, lan McCbnnell; Ebenezer Scuttle'boom, Peter Roy; Mr Titterton, David Watson. Exploration Party — Mr Fish, David Ke'ltie; Jcnes, lan Aitchison. A Party of Boys — William Altken; David Maxwell; Michael Armstrong; Keith Newman; Alan Faulds.

"CAMPBELL OF KILMHOR" — This was an ambitious attempt. "Campbell of Kilmhor" is a play of feeling and emotion, not of action, and was therefore not at all suited to a cast of boys of this age. While all the boys were word perfect in their lines, they all spoke far too fast, and without any light and shade.

Characters:— Mary Stewart,  J.  Hyde;

Morag Cameron (his niece), B. Leitch; Dugald Stewart, G. G. Ferrler; C&ptain Sandeman, A. J. McGUl; Archibald Campbell, D. Nisbet; James McKenzie, A. Forbes; Redcoat, J. Macdonald.

"THE MAN IN THE BOWLER HAT" — This one-act play was well acted and the services of the prompter were not required. I. R. G. Brock, as Mary, gave a really good performance, his diction being particularly clear.

Characters:— John, P. R. C. Finlay; Mary, I. R. G. Brook; Hero, T. Miller; Heroine, K. Dunn; Cheif Villain, W. Ritson; Bad Man, M. R. Nixon; Man in Bowler Hat, J. D. Baillie.

"THE STOLEN BRIEF" — The last was a light-hearted riot of laughter.   Much of the humour was topical, and possibly was not fully appreciated by an outside audience, but the home audience was fully alive to the. innuendos that were made and responded with delighted fervour. It would be Invidious to pick out for special mention any member of so excellent a cast. The author of the play prefers to remain anonymous (perhaps he has his reasons) but it would not be far oft the mark to hazard a guess that a

Housemaster whose subject is English, was mainly responsible.

Characters:— Brigadier Poroelain'-Basin: a future Commandant, A. A. Blackie; Major McSpiel: a future headmaster, A. S. Hamilton; Air Marshal Bo'mby, General Domby, Admiral Zomby — members of a, Board of Her Majesty's ;mCtonam^Bionerlsi; R.SfM- Pumpkin., J. K. dm; Daniel! Dogend, the School Rogue, P. A. Pooke; Gravystains, a junior boy, K. Amers; Tough Joe: Porter of the Hydro, R. Anderson; Simple and Fumble: two Prefects, B. Fitzpatrick and A. R. Bethune.

Producers — Mr Bruce, Captain Blakemore, the Headmaster. Stage manager — Mr Pinlay. Lights — Mr Jamieson. Sound effects and music — Mr Batt and Mr Mortimer. Scenery — Mr Le Maistre, Mr Pinlay and several boys. Scene shifters — D. S. Orr and T. R. McNamee. Make-up — Mrs Baker and Miss Chalmers. Costumes — Mrs Baker, Mr Mortimer, etc.

R. E. H.

Pipe Notes

This year has seen a steady improvement in the playing of the pipes and to the advent to the band of some excellent tunes. Although the piping competition has not yet been held, and one cannot therefore judge individuals, the volume and tone of the band has improved tremendously in the last year.

The new tunes are "Jubilee March" (composed by Pipe-Major Sanderson), "Loch Rannoch," "My Native Highland Home," "Highland Harry," "Tail Toddle," and these, combined with the standard tunes, have helped to swell considerably the repertoire of the band.

We have had fewer engagements than ever before, but these have been enjoyed to the utmost; the Murrayflelds, Hampden Park, the Gleneagles, and one which we have never had before, the Passing Out Parade of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

I will finish by thanking Pipe-Major Sanderson for maintaining the high standard of the band, and I am sure the band will join in wishing him the best of luck and health.

PIPING COMPETITION

Judges—Brigadier E. Brickman, D.S.O. (late Cameronians) and Pipe-Major Sanderson, Q.V.S. (late Cameronians). Results:—

Class "A" — Slow March — 1, A. McDonald;
2, A. Blackie; 3, J. Aimes. March—1, A. Blackie;
2, A. McDonald; 3, J. Airnes.

Class "B" — Slow March — 1, D. McArthur;
2, H. Miller; 3, N. Burrows., March—1, H. Miller;
2, D. McArthur; 3, G. Thomson.
Strathspey and Reel — 1, A. McDonald; 2, A. Blackie; 3, J. Airnes.
Class "C" — (Chanter) — 1, K. Murray; 2, K. Douglas; 3, P. Roy.
Best Piper in Class "A" —A. C. McDonald.
Best Piper in Class "B" — H. Miller.

A. A. B.

Webmaster: Duncan McDonald
duncan@mcdond.co.uk