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FOR its first performance of a three-act play the choice of the Drama Section fell on Ian Hay's excellent comedy " Housemaster." In making the choice some risks had to be run. So many people have seen the play produced either in the professional theatre or by amateurs that even if the production was adequately supported there was the inevitable danger of comparisons. There was also the acute difficulty of properly casting a play with so many male characters. The work for the back room boys (and girls also.) was of an unusually exacting nature. One factor alone outweighed all the others - the Section had Sydney Rimmer as producer and also as actor in the name part. His considerable experience in both roles brought about the biggest triumph which the Section has registered to date.
W Brookes, JK Cornall, SN Rimmer and Alec R Ellis	The theatre was practically sold out for both nights, January 23rd and 24th, in spite of bad weather and the difficulty of access to it for many of our supporters. The Y.M.C.A. Theatre, Birkenhead, is a nice little theatre, but a bit remote for people up " the line." It is not usual to commence the review of a performance by praising those " back stage " but on this occasion so much of the success was due to their efforts that we must mention Betty Jackson, Sheila Boote, Rex Pollock and E, G. Shaw, who worked so cheerfully and tirelessly on every job from the erection of scenery, and the making-up of a large cast, to the management of complicated sound effects.
In this connection mention should be made of J. K. Cornall, who did his whack behind the scenes for days beforehand and took one of the principal parts as well. Sydney Rimmer gave a performance as the old housemaster which is summed up by the word " majestic." He knew when to make his audience laugh and when to make their eyes moist and his portrayal of the old man giving advice to the young girl was most moving. The whole play depended upon his performance and his reputation was well maintained. Leslie Jones as the shy music master treated the audience to a study in sincerity which was as near perfect as any small piece of amateur acting will ever be. Auriel Balshaw, who falls in love with the music master, was wholly appealing in her characterisation. Her charm of manner, her girlish simplicity, and her clever use of facial expression won all hearts. In some ways John Pugh's portrayal of " Old Crump " was the audience's (and the cast's) favourite bit of acting.	Thea Bower, Leslie Jones, Barbara Griffith and Auriel Balshaw
x SN Rimmer, Barbara Phillips, Colin Skelton, Auriel Balshaw, John Eastwood, W Pearson and Barbara Griffith	It was so good that some of us had to enquire discreetly in Foreign branch as to whether he was really as dumb as he appeared. He had only to show himself to raise a gale of laughter. Of the other housemasters. J. K. Cornall as Frank Hastings earned high praise, not least for his extremely clever use of make-up. K. C. Batten rendered the part of Victor Beamish with just the right amount of bounce and noise. Audrey Wall Jones certainly has a beautiful diction and a magnificent stage presence and the part of Barbara Fane, the aunt of the three girls, was most convincingly presented.
Bimbo and his sister Button, played by Colin Skelton and Barbara Phillips, could have been brother and sister in real life, so genuine did the brotherly attitude of Bimbo appear to be. Barbara does these pert parts supremely well and is always assured of a responsive audience. The remaining sister, Chris, was played by Barbara Griffith. Her scene with Flossie Nightingale, played by John V. Eastwood, was her special contribution to the success of the production. John V. Eastwood's diction was outstandingly good and his rendering of the part pleasing without being overdone. The parts of the Headmaster and the Chairman of the Board of Governors were played by Alec R. Ellis and Bill Brookes. The portliness of the former helped, with the assistance of cap and gown, to overcome the disability of a voice not naturally arrogant and the impression of pomposity was satisfactorily conveyed. Bill Brookes used one of his versatile selection of " character " voices to portray the wire-pulling politician. His "impressions " always delight the audience. H. Tonks took the part of the head boy, and W. Pearson that of " Pop." The Matron was played by Thea Bower and the maid by Joan Thomas. It was very encouraging to have so many members of the General Management present at the performance on the Saturday evening.
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