WHEX the programme for the Royal Life-boat Matinee, at the Lyceum, on the llth December, was being arranged Mr. Louis N. Parker, the author of many plays, and the organiser of some of the most successful historical pageants, was asked if he could arrange for a performance of his play " Drake." He pointed out the difficulties of producing such an elaborate play, with its very long cast, and offered to write a one-act Life-boat play specially for the matinee.

This generous offer the Institution most gratefully accepted.

Mr. Parker's kindness did not end here. In addition to writing the play he came over from Switzerland, where he now lives, to conduct the rehearsals, and through the help of his friend and agent, Mr. Golding Bright, an [ exceptional cast of leading actors and actresses was obtained. The eight parts were taken by Mr. Edmund Gwenn, Miss Lena Ashwell, Miss Sara Allgood, Miss Tallulah Bankhead, Miss Marjorie Mars, Mr. Leslie Howard, Mr. Frank Lawton, and Mr. Edgar Norfolk. The play was produced by Mr. Norman Page, and the honorary stage manager was Mr. George Desmond.

Mr. Parker has generously presented ] the entire rights in this play to the I Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and it is hoped ! that the performance on 11th. December last, in the presence of the Duke of York I and Princess Louise, will be only the first of many performances of the play on behalf of the Life-boat Service.

The title of the play is " Their Business in Great Waters," and there are eight parts, four women and four men.

The scene of the play is in the livingroom of a Life-boat Coxswain's cottage on a wild night. A signal of distress is heard, and the Coxswain and his son, the Second Coxswain, hurry to the Boathouse.

From the window of the room the Coxswain's wife watches the Lifeboat's searchlight, as she goes out, sees it disappear, believes the Life-boat to be lost with all her crew, and waits in agony until the Coxswain and his son return triumphant with the whole crew saved.

The play is a noble expression of the unaffected courage and the deep humanity of the Life-boat Service.

It moves naturally, inevitably, and without any exaggeration, from a simple human interest to a tense atmosphere created by the storm, increasing from anxiety to terror and anguish and culminating in a noble close, where the joy and thankfulness at lives rescued from death, men returned in safety from a terrible ordeal, and a family re-united, find fitting expression in the words from the Bible which the Coxswain reads, "And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still, and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."' The entire rights of the play belong to the Institution, and it can only be produced by obtaining the licence of the Institution. For this licence a charge will be made of one guinea, but where the performance is given in aid of the Institution or one of its Branches, no fee is charged. It is, however, advisable for Branches which think of arranging for a performance of the play to apply to the Institution for the licence.

Copies of the play may be obtained by Honorary Secretaries at the cost price of 6rf., and may be sold at Is., the profit ; going to the funds of the Branch.

The simplicity of the characters of the play, and the simplicity of the production, scenery and dresses, make the play specially suitable for good amateurs.

The only special dresses required are Life-boatmen's oil-skins, and these can always be provided by the Institution for any performance of the play given on its behalf. It lasts half an hour, so that with, the addition of Life-boat films and some sea songs, a complete entertainment can be easily arranged.

We hope that many Honorary Secretaries will find the play a means of increasing interest in the work of their Branches and of adding to their funds..