Should There be a 1942 Extravaganza?

No. This is definitely not the time for any such activity. This does not mean to suggest that the shortage of caste or even of scripts won make it impossible to stage a show that would be a success. Last year's efforts showed that it is possible to write, cast and produce an Extrav. in a very short time. But in the present state of affairs the devotion of student time and effort to this end could not be justified.

As anyone knows who has been associated with Capping shows in the past, participation in Extravaganza entails concentration of time and energy for two or three weeks to the exclusion of almost all else, including lectures, swot, the day's work, and (occasionally) the night's sleep. This is intensified during the actual production. Then follows a period of recovery (which is, of course, proportionate to the energy the participant has expended).

At present most of the eligible students are engaged in the various aspects of Civil Defence, and it must be generally recognised that it is imperative that these services be developed without delay or hindrance. Events in Malaya provide a grim illustration of the importance of civilian organisation.

There has been much discussion, often heated, of this matter, and the holding of an Extrav. has had a number of supporters whose reasons in justification include Tradition, Student Morale, Duty to our Public, Business as Usual, and the Patriotic Funds.

To deal with these separately:—

Tradition etc.	If the maintaining of a tradition means letting down the folk who have helped to build it up, then it is surely better left alone.
"Business as Usual"	is only a justifiable slogan in times of emergency if the business in question is a contribution to the common aim. Otherwise it is just a pretext for having a good time while someone else does the real work. The majority of those who take part in Extrav. are there mainly to have a good time. And they do, too, as the writer can guarantee from extensive back-stage experience.
Many past Extrav.	stars and solid workers are fighting in this war. Surely the least the students at home can do is not let them down on the home front. That is what Student Morale means, or should mean.
Duty to our Public.	The public for whom we present Extrav. is largely our own public. They always come to see our shows because they want to, and they always will. They would be the last to condemn our abandonment of the show this year. In fact, many of them would (very justly) protest if we appeared as usual.
Funds for the War Effort.	—With prices and conditions at a normal level, Extrav. is not outstandingly successful as a money-raising concern, and it would be surprising if the profits accruing under the present conditions (costumes, properties, labour and advertising) were large enough to justify the amount spent.

In short, it must surely be generally appreciated that the holding of an Extravaganza this year would be a breach of good form unworthy of Victoria College. The University claims the right to lead. Here is oneway to do it.

Patrick Macaskill