WONDERFUL PAGEANT

Evening Star, Issue 21711, 4 May 1934, Page 13

WONDERFUL PAGEANT

MAGNA CARTA ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME FOR JUNE Seven thousand people, representing every town and'village within a radius of fifteen miles of Windsor, will-take part in June in a wonderful national pageant on the ground where Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede in June, 1213. The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Ducbes of York have given their patronage to the pageant and are taking a keen interest in the arrangements. The ‘ Daily Mail ’ says that it understands that, at the suggestion of the Prince, who felt that the people of tho dominions and colonies should have an opportunity of seeing what the pageant was like, a film will bo made of the spectacle. Many distinguished people will don the costumes of centuries ago in various historical episodes. A large number of them will come from Windsor, whose x’esidents are re-enacting tho Royal Tournament held at Windsor Castle on St. George’s Day, 1358. They will include Lady Edward Spencer-Churchill, Lady St. Leonards, Lady Dorothy Palmer, Lady Blake, Lady Harvey, Lady Kavanagh, Constance Lady Russell, of Liverpool, Lady Sackville, and others. The Military Knights of Windsor will appear as knights of the period, and troopers of the Life Guards will imSersonate tho twenty-five original Alights of the Garter. The part of Edward 111. will probably be played by Major Bourne May, and it is hoped that Miss Ellaline Terriss will take the part of Queen Philippa. The pageant will cost some thousands of prfUnds. Money is being raised in novel ways with the object of keeping tlie expenses down to a minimum. Weekly bridge and whist drives are being held in private houses throughout the area which is providing the players, and at the end of the evening winnings are handed to a fund for purchasing material and costumes. Needlework parties are in full swing, and voluntary committees are being formed to organise the transport of tho thousands of actors and actresses when the pageant takes place.