THE WARWICK PAGEANT.

Evening Star, Issue 12874, 25 July 1906, Page 8

THE WARWICK PAGEANT.

The Warwick Pageant' which was recently held in. commemoration of the I,oooth anniversary of the conquest of Mercia and the overthrow of paganism therein by Ethelfleda, in 905 A.D., was a splendid success. As many as 2,(XX) actors were engaged in this remarkable “folk play” in the open air, and the scene presented a fine spectacle. The pageant, which was under , the direction of Mr Louis N. Parker, the well-known dramatist, took place on a green sward of seven acres, under the shadow of Ethelfled a’s mound, on the banks of the Avon, which was placed at the disposal of the Committee by the Earl of Warwick. A covered scaffolding, or grand stand, capable of seating 4,700 people, commanded a full view of the natural stage of luxuriant grass, on which 2,000 performers disported themselves, with tho trees and river as scenic accessories, and tho sky as their canopy. All the performers were amateurs, and were giving their services gratuitously, the work being a labor of love; The. numerous properties, from Queen Elizabeth’s State barge down to the. monstrous head of the legendary Dun Cow, which breathed fire and smoke out of its nostrils, were all local products. The dramatic text was divided into eleven episodes, covering a space of nearly 2,000 years in the history of Warwick. In Episode X. (1572) the longest of the scenes was devoted to the State visit to Warwick of Queen Elizabeth and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, while Shakespeare was ingeniously introduced as-a boy and son of the bailiff of Stratford-on-Avon. In Episode XI. 1-1-649) the great fire of Warwick was illustrated. At the conclusion of the pageant there was a final tableau and march past, in which all those who took part appeared, the last figure left on the arena being that of Shakespeare.