Former Pupils’ Section
(1) The University Students’ Show “Show,” as it is universally known nowadays, was first produced in 1921. In contrast to the stage production in His Majesty’s Theatre which has become such a familiar feature of the Aberdeen scene, the first production took place in the Debater in Marischal College and took the form of a mock trial, which was a common form of entertainment at the time. It was a fund-raising exercise for the University RAG week. In the following year Stella the Bajanella was the first scripted musical comedy which was written and produced by a student, Eric Linklater (1913-16). It was a resounding success and set the pattern for later years. While this may have changed to a sketch-based revue in recent years the bond between participating students is as intense as ever. Linklater was elected Rector of the University in 1945 by a substantial majority and it was typical of his versatility and ability that he wrote the script for the 1946 Show, To meet the MacGregors which was hugely successful, playing to packed houses in H.M. Theatre. Over the years many Former Pupils have played prominent roles in Show and, while Show experience is not a prime qualification for becoming President of the F.P. Club, Linklater himself was President in 1956-57 followed in 2001-02 by Steve Robertson. Dozens of other FPs have taken part both on stage, as musicians and as administrators.
(2) A Himalayan Disaster The First Martyr to Everest On 5th June 1921 Alexander Mitchell Kellas (1881-84) died from sudden heart failure at Kampa Dzong, Tibet while he was a member of the 1921 Mount Everest Expedition. He was one of four brothers who all attended the School in the last two decades of the 19th century. His father was head of Aberdeen Mercantile Marine Board with his home and office in a mansion on Regent Quay who moved the family to Carden Place so that the boys could attend the Grammar School. He went on to gain a DSc. from London and a PhD from Heidelberg after which he lectured in physics and chemistry at Middlesex Hospital in London. From a young age he had a fascination for hills. His mother’s family farmed near Ballater and Alex explored the Cairngorms on a regular basis. Day trips to Lochnagar expanded into long walks into the Cairngorms, a favourite overnight stop being at the Shelter Stone below Ben Macdhui. The strength which was to be critical in his later mountaineering was evident when, at the age of 17, he and his 15-year-old brother walked from the family farm at Ballater to the Shelter Stone,
35
