School Christmas Party
(1956)

AT the end of the Winter Term, the second Christmas Party was held, this time in two sessions, for the first forms were given food and films in the afternoon. An added attraction was Mr. Appleby's pantomime which reminded some of us of Cinderella. There was an all-star cast which was handicapped by having to compete with Baker's hat for the afternoon's honours.

In the evening the fun was fast and furious. Messrs. Toppleoff and Tumbleover showed that they could still be highly entertaining comics and the "IIIB Festival Choir" paid. what many thought a touching tribute to their French master. Wilkinson's mouth organ (which he calls a harmonica) and Stoddart's crying both revealed unexpected depths.

Mr. James kept the flag flying in a musical "spot" which must obviously become a tradition of the concerts. Other members of the staff appeared from time to time. Mr. Armstrong disguised as Higgs, and Mr. Thomas with an English song (we all make sacrifices on these occasions). The evening was rounded off, first by a sketch in which Mr. Richardson and his talented troupe sang about a wall, and secondly by the Cads of the Common Room (none other than Messrs. Appleby and Phillips in sophisticated mood).

Mr. Clarke's compering was a reminder that the spirit of music hall is not yet dead. In view of his jokes, some of the audience clearly thought it jolly well ought to be.