Watch the Stitches in Your Britches !

"These comments on Extrav. are intended to be helpful, and I trust they will be accented as such":

Wardrobe: It is to be hoped that individual members of ballet and chorus will take more pride in their appearance than did last year's cast in many cases the costumes were sadly in need of ironing or washing, or both. Some would have been greatly improved by being brushed. Some skirt hems were sagging badly—sticking plaster or a safety pin will help greatly if time is short. The appearance of the male ballet was detracted from by the wearing of a curious assortment of sox. Surely students are no less able today to wield an iron or clothes brush than of yore.

Make-Up: Chorus and female ballet make-up was poor. The impression was that there had been no over-all check-up by make-up staff before the cast left the dressing rooms.

As everyone knows Extrav. stands or falls on the time, energy, work, and enthusiasm of every member of the company. It was therefore a little startling to find invidious distinctions being made by the handing out of bouquets, verbal and floral. I trust this peculiar manifestation will not recur. A bunch of vegetables to the female impersonators, during curtini calls, could be permitted.

Last year's show, despite the ful some nonsense printed in what then purported to be "Salient," was not an Extrav. and at times descended to the level of a village concert. The only part with the authentic ring (the Councillors) had been lifted straight out of an old Extrav.

This year's script has great possibilities, though I would suggest that certain well-known names be not used straight, and if the quite astounding amount of latent talent last year is still available and fully utilised who knows? A female impersonator, appearing last year, would make a first class Venus and if some of the Colombo Plan boys could be enticed into one of the male ballets you might even have to extend the season. Best wishes for Extrav. '57.

—J