A suggestion has been put forward, with the support of the British
Drama League and others, for the establishment at our universities of
a "Faculty of the Theatre and Dramatic Degree." Heartily applauding
the proposal, we append a typical examination paper for the final
school:--
(1) Sketch briefly the progress of amateur acting in this country,
from the impersonation of a Danish minstrel by ALFRED THE GREAT, to
the Victory Varieties Matinée arranged by Lady Eve Tatlery.
(2) Arrange, in order of probability, the first fifty authors of
SHAKSPEARE.
(3) "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing-fields of Eton."
Estimate the rival claims of the Windsor Strollers.
(4) Indicate your make-up for ROMULUS, HENRY THE EIGHTH, ABRAHAM
LINCOLN.
(5) What is a point, and how made? A "straight" line lies evenly
between any good points; give instances.
(6) Under what dramatic conditions can a part be greater than the
whole? Cite the authority of any two actor-managers for this theory.
(7) Explain, with diagrams, (a) The Eternal Triangle; (b) Squaring the
Upper Circle.
(8) Illustrate the axiom that the length of a run varies with the
breadth of the dialogue.
(9) What proportion of the music-hall comedians of Great Britain is
supplied by (a) Lancashire; (b) Scotland?
(10) Which European drama requires most doors for its honeymoon
farces?
(11) "What Manchester thinks to-day England will think next
Sunday evening." Analyse this statement in its bearing upon the
play-producing societies.
(12) "Let who will make a nation's laws so that I make its songs."
Discuss the ethical and sociological significance of this with regard
to (a) "Where do flies go in the winter-time?" (b) "I _do_ like-an egg
with my tea."
In the _vivâ-voce_ portion of the examination, candidates for Honours
will be required to satisfy the examiners (to the point of actual
tears) by their recital of selected passages from prepared books.
They may offer any two of the following: "Buckingham's Farewell;" "The
Signalman's Daughter;" "The Death of Little Nell" (_with voices_).
For candidates not seeking Honours a passable imitation of Mr. GEORGE
ROBEY will entitle to one group.