Rehearsals Proceeding According to Plan

Foremost among College activities to be reported are, of course, Extrav. rehearsals. These can, in fact, be summed up in one word, excellent. Many people with experience of revues, both here and at other colleges, have remarked that they have never seen rehearsals so well organised, or so enthusiastically attended. Credit must go to both the cast and the producers for this.

To come down to details. The casting meeting opened with a bang, that is, a great number of enthusiastic people turned up, and Ron Meek gave them a lot of dope on the show, and many general hints on Extravs. Then the casting began in earnest. It must be admitted that a tactical error was committed here, in that the women, who had turned up in good numbers, were not allotted their parts first. This would have been quite simple, since there are, unfortunately, no leading female roles, and the choruses could have been made up quickly on the spot. As it was, many of the girls were fed up at hanging round till 10 o'clock, and withdrew before their names had been taken. Fortunately, their places were filled at subsequent rehearsals, for, as Ron said, you can't have too many women in an Extrav. They help the morale. The casting of the male parts was done, more or less haphazardly owing to the shortage of time, on the performance of volunteers in reading a part of the script or singing a song. Actually, so much talent was displayed that it was very difficult to choose, but the job was done pretty well, as rehearsals have shown.

Rehearsals have gone ahead since, punctually to timetable, which is rather unusual in an Extrav. (Mr. Macaskill informs us it was done in 1936.) Whilst some part of the play is done in full, upstairs, watched critically by Ron and those of the cast not otherwise engaged, others are downstairs practising ballets or songs. The noise of hammers is to be heard all the time from the property men, whilst the wardrobe team work quietly in their room. Now and then, the whole cast adjourn downstairs for a song practice. At teatime everyone eats poloneys, and there is an impromptu dance or sing song. Altogether, it is quite a social affair, and many little groups can be seen, chatting about events of the day, the next act, or a new joke they have thought of.

The cast need little introduction. Dennis Hartley is too well known to require any comment. A definite "find" is Geoffrey Datson, who shows considerable talent as a singer and actor. Although this is his first year, he has had quite a lot of experience at acting, and his part as Johnalio is well deserved. Gib. Bogle plays Scrimgeourella very nicely, and sings in tune, if not very loudly. Stan. Campbell, as usual, is without inhibitions, and clowns the Minx abandonedly. K. T. Fowler, a man pink in hue, takes some pleasure in depicting Capitalism in Decline. As for the men's chorus, tremendous; as for the women's chorus, fascinating.