PLAY AND PAGEANT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1933, Page 13

PLAY AND PAGEANT

"CRADLE OF THE KING"

The mission play and pageant entitled "The Cradle of the King" was presented in St. Mark's School last evening to a large- audience. Those who' took part were, members of St. Mark's. Bible classes and pupils of S,t. Mark's Church and Sunday schools. The beautiful and varied scenes combined to make a fine production, and by the end of the performance the whole audience was deeply moved. The play opened with the appearance of the Angel to the Shepherds, and suitable hymns were sung by those on the stage in a concealed choir. There was revealed the beautiful tableau of the Angel Choir. The next scene dealt witli the legendary Russian character, Babouahka, whose cottage lay on the road to Bethlehem and the three kings, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, with their attendants, in converse with her. The kings outside Herod's palace followed, and made an exceptional scene, in dress • and setting. The next scene was a procession of children of all nations bearing their gifts, and singing the carolj "Come Ye Lofty, Come Ye Lowly." Finally the curtain rose to a magnificent scent of the Nativity, and a procession up the centre of the hall of the kings, attendants, and children to lay their gifts around the Cradle brought to a close a memorable and interesting performance.. Thanks arc due to Messrs. James Smith for scenery, to the Dominion Museum for Maori mats, and to the many helpers who made this' play and pageant such a pronounced success. It will be repeated tonight.