page 257 — June 1943

Tuesday 15^th

… an enjoyable music period—with the prospect of terrible few more with Taylor. … zmu ztc

I haven’t put down much news recently—nothing big in Russia; it was announced that all four of the Italian islands in the Sicilian narrows have now fallen. … The only army casualty in the last was one man bitten by a donkey! zlb zwc

Saturday 19^th

… up to the Pentire to try on play clothes and wigs [for Macbeth]. I have a lovely deerskin jacket. Our wigs make us very glamorous, if not masculine by modern standards. …  zth

Tuesday 22^nd

Two years ago, on a Sunday, the German attack on Russia began. Casualties given as German killed or prisoners six million, Russian four. zru zwc

… after tea listened to Tchaikovsky’s 5^th symphony—glorious; he appeals more strongly than any other composer to the emotions—sometimes perhaps too sentimental (6^th) but I like it. … zmu zem

Wednesday 23^rd

Der Tag (that is German for ‘the day’ isn’t it?). After morning periods and a very slack signaller’s parade—the senior hall being at the theatre—and lunch, we bussed down with our clothes and swords to the theatre, there to rehearse Macbeth. It was largely a sound and lighting rehearsal; acting had to be left to its own devices. Anyhow we started on time; apart from wobbly knees in the first scene I enjoyed it a lot, and it went off very well. Bartlett [as Macbeth] was very good indeed, nobody was bad (not even me) and the audience was very appreciative. Then the ordeal of the curtain call (chief six on alone to bow) and back. Taylor very pleased. … zct zsg zth