The Strong Are Lonely

The play chosen for production in December was by Fritz Hochwalder. Its setting is the Jesuit settlements in Paraquay in the seventeenth century; in christianising the natives, the Society had established prosperous native communities. The order, the material prosperity, the humane treatment of the natives, all of which contrasted so strongly with the neighbouring secular Spanish settlements, alarmed the Imperial Spanish authorities, and an ambassador of the king was sent out to order the disbandment of the settlements.

The action centres on the clash between the Ambassador, backed by the might of the Spanish Empire, and the Father Superior, backed by the Jesuit community and the natives. The problem is further complicated for the Father Superior when an emissary brings orders from Rome that he is to submit to the King's ordinance and leave Paraquay. The problem for the Jesuit missionary is to decide whether to be faithful to his Vow of Obedience - but by doing so abandon the great work he has created, or to defy both his Superiors and the King.


G.Borgeat, P.Herbert, A.Welling, D.Dury, C.Kershaw, S.riley, I.Bloodworth.

This is a play which, more than most, stands or falls by strong acting in several major roles, but principally in two the Father Superior and the Ambassador. These were played by Albert Welling and Gerald Borgeat, who both gave the best of their many find performances.

Besides the fine individual performances, the most pleasing feature of the play was the support given by quite a large number of the Lower Sixth who, without being great actors, loyally and enthusiastically gave of their best. They added greatly to the success of the play.

The play was up to the usual high standards as regards presentation, costume, set and lighting. It is to the producers' credit that we have come to take so high a standard for granted. Our sincere thanks are due to Mr. C. Tufnell and Mr. G. Crawford for their memorable production of "The Strong are Lonely".


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