HOW IT WAS TO PLAY CHARLEY'S AUNT

Joyce (41-B-1) FPE

"I'm no ordinary woman!" Joyce (41-B-1) as Charley's Aunt

I guess all of us are actresses at heart. We perform the feminine role as FPs. We make up, costume our- selves, study our lines (both kinds), and work on mannerisms and voice. Well, girls, this actress was cast in a dream part, the leading "lady” in Charley's Aunt.

The play, of course, is famous. A young man is persuaded to imperson- ate Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez (Char- ley's aunt) to act as chaperone for his friends. Perhaps you would be interested in some details about the play. It was written by Brandon Thomas and was first produced in England in 1892. Since then it has been performed in every major language of the world. It is said that not a day passes that the play isn't being performed somewhere.

The best line in the play is the one which Donna Lucia keeps repeat- ing: "I am no ordinary woman." How true that is for both the character and for all of us. When it was announced that Charley's Aunt was to be done, I knew that here was a terrific chance for me. The months before tryouts seemed to drag. When they finally did arrive, I was afraid that the director might cast someone else in the part that I so very much wanted. I can't describe the agony of waiting for the cast list to be posted. Then I was cast and I literally jumped for joy.

Rehearsals were really fun. I had to develop a "feminine" voice to use extensively. That was difficult for it couldn't be a truly feminine

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