broader and more permanent, though, in his part, it was not so out of place.

Who else? At., Killoran. A real Victorian melodrama villain this; a part conveyed with great conviction and gusto. A man whose only concern was to reclaim his lost actor - even if the village performance had to be cancelled.

Minor parts were undertaken by a live chicken and a temperamental tape-recorder. It was indeed unfortunate that its radio announcement, which should have clarified the plot to some extent, was made by Pinky and Perky. On the other hand, its storm was magnificent: unsubdued even by the closing of all doors and windows on and off stage.

One general criticism must be made - although this does apply to most House plays. Actors will not wait for audience laughter to subside. A script rich in humour, as this one was, loses much of it from this one fault, and its continuity suffers as well.

Although unnecessary, I suppose I must mention that owing to illness, McGill and Guyler both undertook parts at short notice. McGill was a little too retiring - he would have disappeared at the tea table had they not forgotten the tea-pot - but otherwise very good in an awkward part. As for Guyler, with only three days to memorise his part, his performance was remarkably gout]. Even allowing for the fact that there are a number of bucolic Alf Garnets in Milner House, it is nothing but the truth to report that this substitute could not have been bettered in any way whatsoever.

I am obliged to conclude that the play was the result of good acting and production. My personal impression was that it had been built round the characters of the available actors; an impression strengthened by the absence from programme and poster of any author's name, It was written by   - a fact I accept on the assurances of Housemaster, producer and cast: that and thinly veiled threats of grievous bodily harm. 'Without the Prince' was without the author!

'TEN LITTLE NIGGERS' by Agatha Christie

Presented by Bowdon and Challoner Houses

CAST

Lawrence Wargrave   P H Allen

Philip Lombard   P M McCrystal

Vera Claythorne   P J Ruane

William Blore   N Baggott

Emily Brent   A J Byrne

Dr Armstrong   J F Rowland

General McKenzie   J M Mott

Anthony Marston   M B Feeny

Mrs Rogers   D R Allen

Rogers   E Want

Narracott   M T Hurley

Our Appointment with Fear was arranged for us in the best Lyceum manner by Bowdon and Challoner Houses. Even the most blase of crime addicts could not but experience a most delightful unease at the mass production of corpses for the occasion. The weapons that secured them too, ranging in delicacy from an axe to a hypodermic syringe, were varied enough to satisfy the keeper, or whatever he is, of the Black Museum at

Scotland Yard. Indeed, so packed were the thrills and suspense, it seemed the most natural thing in the world for two of the nine victims to rise, as it were, from the grave in the last thrilling moments - one to administer the final coup de gryce to the other. Agatha Christie's method of arranging her plots is already well-known to most of the literate public. Crowd as many suspects as can be fitted into a drawing room and let the public take its choice. Then, to give it a run for its money, she will slam down triumphantly to win the last trick. Who are

we to complain if sometimes she ignores Portland Club rules and introduces an obviously illegal card? She is entitled to use the Joker and we have enjoyed the game immensely. So it was in this instance, and the neatness with which she concealed her nigger in the woodpile made us forgive her flaunting so many red herrings in our faces.

The production was of a very high order and the acting well up to standard. This was true even in the minor roles, of Want and D Allen as the worthy Rogers pair, of that smart young man-about-town, M Feeny, and of Hurley as the Devonshire boatman. Rowland, as the

psychologist who needed psycho-analysing, Byrne, as the acidulated spinster, and J Mott, as the doting old Colonel Blimp, were all very satisfying. Baggott gave

a good portrayal of the unimaginative ex-policeman, and Ruane, in his first appearance on the stage, was all that a smart young secretary is expected to be. McCrystal displayed all the nonchalance and easy grace one looks for in an officer and a gentleman when faced with a blackamoor as cunning and savage as any Crater rebel. P Allen, also an accomplished actor, gave a polished performance and made the transition from the suave and urbane member of Her Majesty's Bench to a leering maniac with an ease that was impressive. Altogether an entertaining evening, helped one must add by the fine scenery, thanks to Fr Piercy and unusually good costumes for the ladies, some lent by Mrs W Allen and some home-made.

Bowdon and Challoner are to be congratulated on a play that bore everywhere the stamp of a painstaking production. Fr Stewart earns our gratitude for the production, his ingenious contrivance with the properties and costumes and for everything else associated with this play.

'MACBETH' by William Shakespeare

CAST

Three Witches   N R Laskowski

P J McKinney

A E Woods

Duncan   J R Rowland

Malcolm   P H Allen

Donalbain   J M Mott

Captain   M B Feeny

Lennox   J J Killoran

Macduff   P M McCrystal

Ross   N Baggott

Angus   J M Lowe

Macbeth   K T Conry

Banque   D B McLoughlin

Lady Macbeth   M A Connolly

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