Large Cast

The play contained a large cast. All were at all times capable, and some stood out brilliantly. Michael Hattaway as Ralph had an exacting comedy part of many moods and he succeeded admirably. The Citizen and his Wife were prominent throughout. Barry Green and Philippa Palmer made an excellent pair. Laurence Atkinson as Venturewell cut a proud figure, accentuated by his brilliant red costume, and admirably contrasted with Master Humphrey, played by Ian Morton who played to good effect this ridiculous character. The lovers, Jasper and Luce were nicely played by Jennifer Gore and Philip Knight. On the comic side, again, were the Knight's dwarf (Juliet Dobbie) and his squire (Juliet Sheen). Juliet Sheen's facial movements were along the right lines but somehow not quite convincing. Paul Haley made a fine Merrythought and Linda MacDougall was the very incarnation of Mistress Merrythought. John Gamby played the rumbustious role of Barbaroso with relish.

Gamby as Barbaroso.

From the master mind of Francis Beaumont came a play of wit and warmth, a play which has a great appeal—even across three and a half centuries. To the main stream of this work have been added in the Victoria Drama Club production, many tributaries. So that while so much is due to Beaumont, there are also many aspects of the play for which we can thank the producer, set designer, costume designer, composer, a number of others, and of course, the actors themselves. Following after the first-rate production of "Oedipus Rex" last year, "The Knight of the Burning Pestle" sustains and enhances the club's reputation and its versatility. We hope that in 1961, with the opening of the new Little Theatre in the Student Union building, the Drama Club will again present a show of equal quality.

—D.J.