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Messrs Tod and Middleton receive honourable mention for their discussion of the motion that fings ain't what they used to be. We see that many things sprang to Mr Middleton's mind and that he was at pains to sell us the idea of Britain as top nation. We remember previous appearances of Mr Middleton Senior and rejoice in the fact that at least his brother could restrain himself from laughing sufficiently long to say what lie had to say. Mr Tod, as might be expected confined himself to a discussion of the essentials of life : Woolworths, James Bond and The Beatles. BIr Day also spoke in this debate ; according to the minutes 'some way off the subject'. Among those who also gave of their best to an unresponsive House were Mr Shipman, Mr Lloyd, Mr Barbet--on his first appearance-and the Labour Party representatives, Messrs Hayward and Tasker, who were in fine Trades Union voice for the debate on the integration of the Public Schools.
Perhaps the liveliest evening we have had for years was the one devoted to the respective merits of Town and Country. We recall a great opening speech by Mr Ridley, none of which would bear reporting, given in the best debating style, with at long last----no reference to notes of any kind. Mr Barbet's second big speech of the year was one to do himself justice ; once again, as with the very greatest orators, it might read ill in report, but we shall long remember his idyllic description of the well trained cow coming home at milking time, hitching itself to four vacuum cleaners and jumping up and clown for the next half hour. It was hereabouts that Mr Glynn had to be restrained in order to give Mr Round time to conclude the proceedings in a fitting manner.
This was vintage stuff and an able demon-stration that there is a fundamental difference between the good debater and the competent essayist. This is a lesson that all members of the Society might well ponder.
PLAYS
'THIRD TIME LUCKY'
By ARNOLD RIDLEY
Cast
Because of the difficulties involved in trying to produce three House plays a year in addition to the annual Shakespeare production, Bowdon and Challoner this year joined forces to present Third Time Lucks', on 22nd November. This took the place of the traditional Choir Concert in view of the fact that the School was to broadcast a High Mass a couple of days later.
As a play, Third Time Lucky has not much to commend it, with a first act that is too long by half, improbable characters and trite situations. It probably owes its survival to the small demands it makes on any competent amateur and any intelligent audience. The choice of a play, however, for schoolboy actors and audience is necessarily limited and one has to accept the old tried favourites accordingly. Jennifer Elling, ward of the Rev. Arthur Fear, is about to come of age and to marry when she is approached by a blackmailer, 'Captain' Crowther, demanding a thousand pounds for sonic letters. Her guardian determines to retrieve the letters for her and is himself
Mrs Clutterbuck
Rev. Arthur Fear Jennifer Elling Mrs Scratton Vincent
'Captain' Crowther Stanley Crofts Gregg
William Meggitt
Mrs Gordon Startwright
P. GEOGHEGAN
R. WooKEY
A. ALLEN
P. DRURY
P. MORIARTY
K. MIDDLETON
P. RIDLEY
B. TINNEY
1). DE VILLE
C. DOYLE