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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1937. Volume 8. Number 10.

Dramatic Club Stages Another Success — "Till the Day I Die"

Dramatic Club Stages Another Success

"Till the Day I Die"

On Friday the Dramatic Club had a capacity house for its second performance of the year. Clifford Odet's play. "Till the Day I Die." The high standard set in previous shows was fully maintained. Owing to restricted space and lack of facilities, the production was confronted with serious technical difficulties, which, however, were overcome in a way entirely satisfactory to the appreciative audience.

The play is the story of a Communist worker cought in the toils "of the secret police. Physically wrecked and mentally exhausted, he can only find rest by taking his own life. "I know that till the day I die there is no peace for an honest worker in the whole world." No division is allowed in the modern totalitarian state, the anti-Nazi must reform or perish. Individualism can find no place.

The Play.

The first scene at once strikes the atmosphere of the play, the fear haunted atmosphere of the underground press work of the Berlin Communist units. Ernst Tausig. Carl Tannic and Tilly Westerman are Clustered round a hectograph machine watching Baum, a diminutive enthusiast, deliberately reeling off copies of a propaganda sheet. Tenseness prevails. The secret police arrive. Blackout, The mournful wailing of sirens.

Next we are in the Columbia Brown House, an institution for the correction of Communists. Here Captain Schlegel, a pure Nordic specimen, gives a convincing demonstration of the Nazi idea of third degree. Ernst Taisig, our hero, is mauled to the extent of three broken fingers in an endeavour to force him to identify prisoners.

A barrack room scene next demonstrates the actual wearing down process by which prisoners' spirits are broken—a retrogression to barbarism. Two troopers bet concerning their retrospective strengths of arm in relation to the stunning of prisoners. This is mild.

The fourth scene, the play's best, portrays the character of Major Duhring, a Jew and erstwhile Communist who has married into a high German family and now holds a responsible Nazi position. Cynically he has taken the line of least resistance but still endeavours to aid his previous friends. He talks frankly to Tai sig, warning him how his spirit will be broken. The only way out is for Tansig to shoot himself. The climax arrives when Major Duhring's inner convictions are prodded too hard. He eliminates the sinister Captain Schlegel and then shoots himself.

From now to the end are shown the torments of the secret police.

Ernst Taisig, beaten and broken in body but dauntless in spirit, is blacklisted as an informer by his former comrades. The inhuman completeness of the Nazi police methods leave him no option but to take his tortured life in order to vindicate his honour. He at last finds rest and his spirit lives on to inspire future generations of Communists.

The Actors.

The acting throughout was of a consistently high standard. Everything considered the best performance was given by A. H. Scotney as Major Duhring. He displayed an unexpected polish and restraint. J. D. Freeman, as Ernst Taisig, played a very difficult part excellently and with great sincerity. The Carl Tansie of J. K. Alexander was good though perhaps too restrained. Dorothea Tossman us Tilly, Ernst's companion, was the essence of feminine sympathy. J. B. Aimers played the part of the bullying Captain Schlegel to perfection.

The best among the minor actors were C. A. Myers as Detective Popper, J. C. Saunders as Baum, and R. Maclean as a tough trooper.

Congratulations to Dorothea Tossman on her production.

Make Whoopee.

Summer Sports and Dance.

'Varsity life at its best. A mass of swirling gaiety swaying harmoniously to the rhythmic melody of a tip-top dance band. A kaleidoscope of colour. A caval cade of prowess. Be one of the merry throng at the Summer Sports Ball on Friday at the Gym. This is the unrivalled attraction of the year. The care-free jollity of a bob hop interwoven with the grandeur of a Ball. During the dance, blues and trophies will be presented to successful athletes.

If you fail to go, you will be throwing away one of the best opportunities of your life. Everybody worth mentioning will be there, and quite a few who are not. The supper alone is worth committing murder for. Undoubtedly, the Summer Sports Club Ball is the premier dance of the second term, and one of the highlights of the year. At it all sorts and conditions of people, from fresher to graduate, will jostle each other in a delightful atmosphere of carefree camaraderie. So ring her up right away, and be there at the Gym on Friday.