In March the school produced "Richard of Bordeaux". Drama had been revived in the school the previous year with Terence Rattigan's "Adventure Story". The major challenge of the latter play had been the great length of the leading part. The producers, Mr. Tufnell and Mr. Crawford, had decided that despite the success of C. Clubbe as Alexander, they would in future choose plays with less exacting leading parts. However, they somehow arrived at Richard of Bordeaux, in which the title role was even longer than that of Alexander. With some trepidation, the producers asked Edward O'Gorman to undertake the part. There was some cause for trepidation; he was only a fourth-former, he looked very young, he was not very tall, he had only acted once before. He was being asked to undertake a part created by Sir John Gielgud. On the face of it, it seemed most absurd. However, the fears proved unjustified, for O'Gorman made a very creditable attempt at a difficult and exhausting part.

Perhaps the greatest fear of producers of school plays is that of an outbreak of measles in the week preceding the production. It is usually impossible to understudy most of the parts, and so the producers must live in hope. Hope turned to despair this year when only five days before the first performance The Queen took to her bed. Poor Pradere had worked so hard at a difficult part - it is always hard for a boy to take a female part - but the producers had little time to think of him. They were frantically trying to find a replacement. Locke of 3A was chosen and given 2 days to learn the part. He responded magnificently and by the dress rehearsal three days later was word-perfect. Well done!

Only those concerned with the play fully realise just how much the success of the play can be attributed to Mr. Tufnell. As well as his part as co-producer he was responsible for the magnificent scenery, the lighting, the stage-management, and the designing of the costumes. A special word of thanks to those parents, who, under the guidance of Mrs. Griffiths and Mr. Tufnell, made the magnificent costumes which graced the production. The producers hope that parents who displayed such talents will be prepared to help with future productions.

The real justification of a school play is not whether the end product is a glittering success - although this is naturally desired by all who are connected with the production - but that the boys, whether they be actors, or scenery makers, or stage crew, get a chance to use talents which might otherwise be left unused, and that, in the midst of hard work, they enjoy themselves. According to these criteria, Richard of Bordeaux was certainly a success.