278 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Aug. 



compartment a fair-sized stage has been erected, raised some two 

 feet above the floor ; the edge is decorated with a goodly row 

 of footlights, immediately behind which hangs a drop-curtain 

 depicting the ship and Mount Erebus in glowing colours, and 

 boldly informing one that this is the " Royal Terror Theatre." 

 The remainder of the compartment forms an auditorium of 

 ample size to accommodate all who are not performing, with 

 a stray dog or two brought in to enliven the proceedings. 



' In front stands a row of chairs for the officers, and behind 

 several rows of benches for the men ; the apartment is lighted 

 by a large oil lamp, and when all are seated one must own 

 to having seen theatricals under far less realistic conditions. 

 When all are seated also, and when pipes are lit, there is a 

 perceptible improvement in the temperature, a condition that 

 one feels will be very welcome to the lightly clad actors. 



' In due course programmes are passed round, informing us 

 that Part I. will consist of several songs rendered by popular 

 singers, and that for Part II. we shall have the "Ticket of 

 Leave," " a screaming comedy in one act." These programmes, 

 I may remark, are correct at least in one respect, in that there is 

 some difficulty in picking out the information from amongst 

 the mass of advertisements. Presently the curtain rolls up and 

 discloses Royds at the piano and the first singers in true con- 

 cert attitude. We have a duet, followed by several solos, and 

 occasionally a rousing chorus, when one rather fears that the 

 roof of the Royal Terror Theatre will rise. On the whole the 

 first part passes decorously, and we come to the interval, when 

 the wags advertise oranges and nuts. 



' Then we have Part II., which is what we are here for : the 

 " screaming comedy " commences and proves to be fully up to 

 its title. There is no need for the actors to speak — their 

 appearance is quite enough to secure the applause of the 

 audience ; and when the representatives of the lady parts step 

 on to the stage it is useless for them to attempt speech for 

 several minutes, the audience is so hugely delighted. Thanks 

 to Mr. Clarkson and his make-up box, the disguises are excel- 

 lent, and it soon becomes evident that the actors have regarded 



