‘EVERYMAN’

Evening Star, Issue 22204, 5 December 1935, Page 14

‘EVERYMAN’

The modern nativity play, ‘ Everyman of Everystreet,’ which is being presented next Monday by the Y.W.C.A., assisted by members of the Combined Old Girls’ Association, takes its title from the famous fifteenthcentury morality play entitled ‘ Everyman.’ In the latter God’s mighty messenger, Death, summons Everyman to prepare for his last pilgrimage. He obtains permission to take with him companions, and sets out accompanied by Knowledge, Good-deeds, Beauty, Fivewits, and others, but all forsake him with the exception of Good-deeds when he comes to the grave-. These mystery and morality plays were written to make alive to uneducated audiences the Biblical stories and teachings of the church. They had for their theme God’s dealings with man from the Creation till Doomsday, and often lasted from dawn till dusk. Old accounts for producing them, treasured to-day among archives, include such items as “a hook,to hang Judas,” “ half a yard of Red Sea,” and “ starch for a storm.” The staging was quaint, a triple stage being wheeled from place to place, the top being for the angels, the middle and main stage representing the earth, and the bottom the infernal regions, which served also for a retiring room for the actors.

‘ Everyman of Everystreet ’ opens with a scene in the life of. Everyfamily. Everyman—a modern carpenter—and his family are facing tragedy on Christmas Eve. Then follow the Christmas' scenes, each one depicting Everyman’s problems—those of reaction against any disturbance of the “ status quo.” This play is being staged in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. Particulars are advertised In this issue.