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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 20, No. 13. September 12, 1957

Recalcitrant Nose

Recalcitrant Nose

On the second night, Otago opened with "The Happy Journey," by Thornton Wilder. At this stage I was struggling with a recalcitrant plasticene nose, and I heard only the applause, which increased my discomfiture, but led me to suspect that their performance had been tolerably good.

Finally Vic. took the stage with Shaw's epic, "Man of Destiny." It is one of Shaw's finest and most moving works, and the character of the Lieutenant must rank with St. Joan in subtelty and care of delineation. John Gamby in this part was outstanding. It is, of course, a wonderful acting part—the sensitive courageous officer, out of his time, struggling with the treachery of the Woman (adequately portrayed by Elizabeth Kersley) and the perverse orders of his commanding officer (played with energy by myself) to triumph over superstition and leave the general and his lady to a questionable happiness—but Mr. Gamby's moving performance cannot be too highly praised for its delicate variations in pace and diction, and its overpowering pathos. The right touch of malice was provided by the innkeeper (Trevor Hill) and the play was produced with patience by Colin Bickler. It was unfortunate that the judges should have construed this play as "Much Ado About Nothing," but I take comfort in their comment. "No man alive today can be Napoleon!" and so leave my readers to resume my usual imposture as

—D.VJ. (BSc.).