performances of “Much Ado About Nothing.” Numerous compliments were also paid to the beautiful and realistic scenery designed by Mrs. Bower. When viewing it from a distance one felt that it was possible really to walk down the steps into the garden.
The actresses, drawn mostly from the Junior Sixth and the Fifth forms, had a maturity which was quite surprising. Those who played masculine parts acquitted themselves so well that one tended to forget that they were girls. This was particularly so in the case of 
Margaret Foley, who made a very handsome Benedict and charmed the audiences with her attractive speaking voice. Valerie Gervie, Maureen Brennan and Sheila Parkin, as the villains of the piece, plotted their wickedness convincingly, Don Juan's moustaches being particularly effective. Catherine Lucas and Marjorie Sutcliffe introduced and led the comic element as Dogberry and Verges, the highly incompetent and illiterate night watchmen, who finally succeeded in unmasking the villains.
Of the women, Annette Garrs was a very attractive and vivacious Beatrice who played the romantic scenes with Benedict very well, 
showing clearly the capricious side of Beatrice's character. Dorothy Prideaux was well cast as Hero, a character who almost becomes tragic.
The other characters in the play, too numerous to mention by name, were equally well played and contributed to the high standard of the performance. 
Our thanks are also due to Mr. Lund, who coped so ably and willingly with the lighting and scenery, and to Mrs. Dove, who produced the play and all the other members of the staff, who made invaluable contributions to its success.
Financially, perhaps, the production was not so rewarding as some of the others the school has seen, but from an artistic point of view the confidence placed in the actresses to perform this Shakespearian comedy, rarely a school production, was justified.
MARJORIE M. BOOTH, Senior VI.
