Sad dissolution of the I.W.S.! At a meeting the two fellows told me that one being a prefect and both seniors their conscience was smiting them at giving bad example. Accordingly I am now President, and will not let the Society down! I have luxurious feasting every day, the while I swot History or English. Solitude and watercress are even more inspiring.
Went to ‘Richard II’, ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Othello’ performances by Cork Shakespearean Society under Fr. O’Flynn. It is really amazing what wonderful work he is doing. I was sceptical, but was astonished at what I saw. The costumes are magnificent, scenery very fine, and court scenes full (so missing in Doran ((Charles Doran (1877-1964), a celebrated Shakespearean actor and company director, who began his career in Belfast.))). These were advantages, but the principal actors themselves were excellent. There’s a tall fellow named Stack ((James Stack, a bass in the Cathedral choir, leading member of Fr. O’Flynn´s Shakespearean Company who later founded his own company. He was a founding member of the Cork Little Theatre Society, and taught speech and drama in the Cork School of Music, putting on productions regularly in the Cork Opera House.)) who takes kings’ and villains’ parts and he is really wonderful in his versatility, his impressive voice and elocution and his realistic mannerisms. I enjoyed these three plays immensely, but am dead tired after them, and distracted from work. In addition our beautiful Madge has run off to England, being pursued by the insurance company, and we have a temporary. But I must get to work!
