MODERN NATIVITY PLAY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28159, 24 December 1956, Page 16

MODERN NATIVITY PLAY

CAROL SINGING AT NEW BRIGHTON

OPEN-AIR PERFORMANCE ON ESPLANADE

The New Brighton cenotaph rising against the sky behind a floodlit j theatre on the esplanade gave added meaning to a modern nativity P*a.v performed on Saturday evening by the Christchurch Religious Drama Society. The play, a mime with commentary, was part of a programme or carols and prayer arranged by a committee of representatives of the New Brighton churches and community organisations. More than a thousand persons, many of them dressed quite informally, sat on the steps leading to the cenotaph, and filled the open ground before it to take part in the singing, which was led by the South Brighton Choral Society and the New Brighton Silver Band.

The mime began with a reading from scripture telling of the journey of Joseph and Mary, and their appearance on the small stage. Then a coloured man in modern dress came forward and the commentator’s voice was heard: “I am a coloured man; that is being polite, you call me something else. There is no room for me here.” The man on stage was joined by two Indian girls and the commentary continued: ‘‘We live in a home that you wouldn’t call a home. Our baby was bom in the street after our homp was wrecked. A minister came and told us the story of the birth of Christ. I understand. Do you?”

A man and woman representing the displaced persons and refugees of the world then made their appearance and the commentary drew attention to their plight. “We have no home; we have no country. We live in the second half of the world. Will

you remember us this Christmas time?’’

The scripture reading continued and a small boy in a ragged jersey and bare feet came forward. He had no home, no parents and no country, said the commentary. He was joined by a coloured boy. “We didn’t ask to come into the world, did we? Nor did the baby whose birth we now celebrate.” Another six children, all bare-footed, came forward. “Don’t forget his. brothers and sisters.” said the commentary.

The play was watched in silence by the crowd, which needed only a hint from the band to break into the hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful” as it finished.

The Choral Society sang three littleknown carols—“ Welcome Yule.” “All Poor Men and Humble” and “In Dulci Jubilo”—during the evening. Taking part were the Rev. J. F. Ellis, the Rev. H. Coutts. and the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan), who read the commentary and pronounced the benediction. The New Brighton and Districts Businessmen’s Association assisted with the organisation.