...And So To Capping

The more hilarious events of Capping time are over, leaving us the slightly more dignified but none the less enjoyable functions attending Capping itself, and we should be quite satisfied if these are as successful as those of last week.

Extravaganza has come and gone, leaving in its wake a substantial profit, bottles in the cemetery and only two letters to the Press. A great show which must have been a source of much gratification to everyone with a thimbleful of College spirit. The Public and Mr. Redmond Phillips were for once unanimous and acclaimed the Show. Why, even our worthy contemporary, the "Radio Record," was deluded into the belief that 'Varsity students really have gone pure. My God!

We think "Smad" expresses the sentiments of everyone, including the Building Fund Committee, the producers and the British Israelites, in extending the "big hand" to all who contributed to its success. Still, we cannot let this opportunity slip by without voicing an opinion on what we consider is a matter which will bear pondering on by aspiring authors and producers of future shows. We have watched with some little concern the recent trend in the revue towards a dancing and singing spectacle with the idea of extravaganza and satire being pushed further and further into the background. As a farce introducing burlesque politicians and international figures holding up to the cleansing though quite harmless light of ridicule institutions and people usually regarded with something akin to awe, the 'Varsity Extravaganzas are unique. We do not consider it good policy to attempt to give the public a type of show which the professional companies and the theatres can give them with a greater degree of perfection than any amateurs can hope to achieve.

Extravaganza memories fade quickly. But they were still remarkably good on the night of the Undergraduates' Supper, and lent to a usually somewhat sedate affair, a quite hilarious atmosphere. It has always been "Smad's" private opinion that these functions were dull. We confess to having changed our minds slightly since Thursday night. Perhaps, its success was due to the very pleasing revivification which has been a feature of 'Varsity life this year.

Which brings us to the Capping Ceremony and the Capping Ball on Friday night. As this will be the climax not only of the Festive Season but also of the Term, we know everyone who is anyone will be there, the Ball being, as it is, the social event of the year.

To all grads. "Smad" offers its official congratulations—we know only too well how hard these damned degrees are to get, and they deserve their laurels. However, our especial and sincere felicitations go, not to those who have gained success through burning the midnight oil, enslaved to study, to the exclusion of every other College interest, but rather to those true students who have kept swat in its proper place and lived a full College life. There are the sons of whom Victoria will be proud—the future leaders of the land.