- CONTRIBUTIONS
Blithe Spirit
Noel Coward described his play as an improbable farce in no mean jest. The story is about Charles, a happily married man for five years. His wife, Elvira, then dies and two years later he meets Ruth, now his second wife. They have been happily married for five years until Mme. Arcarti, a spiritualist, upsets the apple cart! Through her Charles "brings back" Elvira who, though invisible to everyone else, is visible to Charles. Thus Coward introduces his funniest scenes with Charles + Ruth + invisible Elvira. In the end Ruth is killed and Charles is bothered now by two Ghosts. This he overcomes with the help of Mme. Arcarti who spirits them away.
Charles was played by Steven Shaw, who as usual gave us an excellent performance. He certainly fitted the part of Charles and he carried through excellently the scenes with Ruth and Elvira, not an easy task.
Ruth was played by Jacqueline Holt, who kept up for most of the play her role of a domineering, yet bewildered wife. She perhaps lost some of this role in her hysterical scenes, yet on the whole she showed promise as an actress.
The play, a little boring at the start, "livened up" when Mme. Arcarti, played by Mavis Fielding, appeared. Indeed it was pleasant to look forward to her coming on. She played the role beautifully, obtaining the right mannerisms and accent so necessary to this part.
Dr. Bradman was played by Jeremy Sutcliffe who, though serious, managed his role, amusing the audience by his sudden outbursts of speech. His wife was played by Linda Parsonage who played the role fairly well, giving a little expression in what she said.
The maid was Joan Bent, whose facial expressions and high voice enabled her to carry the role well. Elvira was Christobel Taylor, whose soft voice and gentle movements were fitting to a returning ghost wife. Praise is due to Mr. Handforth and his staff for another good comedy.
David Morgan.
Winning entry for the Essay Competition, 1961
THE SINKING OF THE "LUSITANIA"
On Saturday, May 2nd, 1915, the Cunard liner "Lusitania" set sail from New York on her last voyage. On board her were 1,978 people, of whom only 764 were destined to see land again. In his cabin, the captain thought about the warning given by the Germans to the 218 American passengers, advising them to cancel their reservations. Was there some sinister motive behind this message?
The "Lusitania" was the sister ship of the "Mauretania", and joint holder of the coveted "Blue Riband of the Atlantic". Her powerful 60,000 horse-power engines drove her streamlined 762-feet long hull along at a maximum speed of 25 knots, which outclassed any enemy warship.
Knowing these facts, the captain assured himself that the Germans could never attack his ship. Also, he pondered, there was the added safeguard of the neutral Americans. "No", he decided, "the Germans would not dare".
At 1-50 p.m. on Friday, May 7th, the liner was 8 miles south-west of the Old Head of Kinsale and 20 miles from Queenstown. Suddenly a huge explosion rocked the ship, followed quickly by another, more devastating than before. It was two minutes before the extent of damage was known and by then the vessel had assumed a sharp incline towards the bows.
Panic-stricken passengers swarmed on the deck and milled around any person in naval uniform, demanding, pleading and shouting for any information. The poor sailors had only a vague idea themselves and said anything which would satisfy the crowd. Stories circulated of bombs, mines, enemy raiders and battle fleets, whilst the truth was known only to the officers who searched from the bridge for any trace of the submarine.
From a distance the "Lusitania" looked in a sorry state. Smoke poured from the broken funnels, the flames gushed from the holds, vapourising the water and hiding the hull in a shroud of mist and pungent smoke. Through this shroud detail was vague but numerous internal explosions could be heard whilst shattered boats and burning bodies were flung in the air.
At 2-33 p.m., after 43 agonising minutes, the "Lusitania" heaved up her stern and started to sink. A violent explosion sent streamers of scarlet flame shooting into the air and the ship sank, dragging boatloads of screaming women and children in her wake.
A few boats came from Liverpool to pick up survivors and a Greek steamer towed a boat-load of people away from the carnage. President Wilson stated that the sinking was an atrocity and the other neutrals supported him. On the other hand Germany emphatically denied this and said that the "Lusitania" had been carrying ammunition. The incident was closed with a threat to blow up the German Embassy in New York at 1-32 on Sunday. Needless to say, this was not carried out.
The episode was important because it was indirectly responsible for America joining the war.