Students sitting in the Chemistry Lecture Hall, Room 271, also known as the airplane room.

Bio/Historical Note: The most enduring legend surrounding the Chemistry Building states that the paper airplanes lodged in the 68-foot domed ceiling of Thorvaldson Room 271 were flung there by Second World War pilots-in-training. When the pilots went to war, the legend says, their family members would periodically visit the Airplane Room—as it became known—to see if their loved one’s plane remained stuck. If a plane fell from the ceiling, it meant that the man who put it there would not be coming home. Wartime pilots did receive training at the U of S campus through cadet programs and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, although there is no record as to whether they trained in Room 271, now called the Henry Taube Lecture Theatre. The University Air Training Corps was one of the military training units located on campus during the Second World War. This 1944 yearbook photo shows cadets training in an unspecified classroom. (University Publications, Greystone 1944)
For many years, students have attached messages or objects to paper planes and flung them up to the ceiling, where the planes stick in the material lining the dome. Student graffiti on the wooden desks of Room 271 dates back as far as 1933, but the paper airplanes are a different story. During the removal of asbestos from the ceiling in 1995, the original planes were taken down. Wayne Eyre, editor of On Campus News at the time, carefully unfolded each of the 366 airplanes but found nothing relating to the war; instead he just found what he calls “a lot of pranky and dopey comments.” The oldest date written on any plane was 1961. Other planes appeared older as they were brittle and yellow with age, but lacked dates.

Image of students sitting in the Chemistry Lecture Hall, Room 271, also known as the airplane room.

Bio/Historical Note: The most enduring legend surrounding the Chemistry Building states that the paper airplanes lodged in the 68-foot domed ceiling of Thorvaldson Room 271 were flung there by Second World War pilots-in-training. When the pilots went to war, the legend says, their family members would periodically visit the Airplane Room—as it became known—to see if their loved one’s plane remained stuck. If a plane fell from the ceiling, it meant that the man who put it there would not be coming home. Wartime pilots did receive training at the U of S through cadet programs and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, although there is no record as to whether they trained in Room 271, now called the Henry Taube Lecture Theatre. The University Air Training Corps was one of the military training units located on campus during the Second World War. This 1944 yearbook photo shows cadets training in an unspecified classroom. (University Publications, Greystone 1944)
For many years, students have attached messages or objects to paper planes and flung them up to the ceiling, where the planes stick in the material lining the dome. Student graffiti on the wooden desks of Room 271 dates back as far as 1933, but the paper airplanes are a different story. During the removal of asbestos from the ceiling in 1995, the original planes were taken down. Wayne Eyre, editor of On Campus News at the time, carefully unfolded each of the 366 airplanes but found nothing relating to the war; instead he just found what he calls “a lot of pranky and dopey comments.” The oldest date written on any plane was 1961. Other planes appeared older as they were brittle and yellow with age, but lacked dates.

A man stands in the middle of the stage at a lectern in Greystone Theatre while students sit in the audience.

Two different photos of actors; second photo features Margaret Morrison as Doto and Bill Whitehead as Tigeus-Chromis.

Scenes from the production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It".

Scene from the play.

Scene from the play featuring Paul Gambling (left) with Barbara Derksen, and Dennis Furminao.

Three male students in costume on set likely performing [Hamlet].

Scene from the play "The Immigrant," written by Frank Holroyd, head, Drama Department, was mimed by the entire Greystone Theatre company. The play starred Volodymyr Romanow.

Bio/Historical Note: Frank Holroyd was appointed instructor of Drama at the University of Saskatchewan in 1948. One year later he was promoted to assistant professor, a position he held until his retirement in 1959. Holroyd performed the technical work and was a set designer. He returned to the Drama Department as a part-time instructor after his retirement, and eventually moved to Tangiers in 1962. He died there in 1971. The workshop in the old Hangar Building was named the Frank Holroyd workshop.

Scene from the play.

Unidentifed man standing among seating.

Image of set/stage preparing for a production.

First border lighting, and glimpse of the auditorium from the stage.

Four students rehearse a play in the new Intimate Theatre setting located in Greystone Theatre. Stage lights visible in background; chairs for seating in foreground.

Interior view of seating and curtained walls.