GREEK TRAGEDY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19203, 20 June 1924, Page 4

GREEK TRAGEDY.

READINGS FROM “MEDEA." A large number, principally ladies, assembleu in the hall which forms part of the Museum. last evening to listen to readings from Euripides’ tragedy, “Medea ’’ Euripides lived approximately 500 8.C.. and was one of three of the greatest writers of tragedy Greece produced: His writings cover a period of close on 20 years, and included in them is the “Medea’’ that was presented in quite an attractive form last evening. It has been said cf Euripides (iiit few have said so much of good and ovil with equal truth. He aspired to please. - and his main object was to excite the emotions. Dr R, Lawson occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the subject matter of .the evening, and was followed by Professor Adams, who said that in the absence of lantern slides ho had proposed to show he would give those present an idea cf the chorus in Greek tragedy. It was pointed out by Gilbert Murray the important part, the chorus played in Greek tragedy. Professor Thomson enlarged upon the subject, and proceeded to give an outline of the plot which ho said was a study of passion and revenge. Medea murdered her own children, the King of Corinth, and his daughter, and yet she won sympathy. The tragedy was a wonderful piece of character drawing. Those taking part in the reading were Miss Bessie Thomson, Mesdames F. Wakefield Holmes and F. J. Gair. Messrs J. Fleming and H. W. Hunter. _ Miss Thomson was forcible and impassioned in her delivery, and gave a moat interesting and clever study of the character. It was the leading part Miss Thomson had to fill, and she filler! it moat worthily. _ Mr Fleming was very convincing in his presentation of .Tason, whether acting in a spirit of determination that would brook no opposition. or adopting more pacific methods, Probably his greatest success was where Jason learns of the death of his children, and begs of Medea their bodies. Mr Hunter was hoard at his best when, in the part of the King of Corfhth Medea is banished, but ho was also '3qc,eessful in the brief passage between and Medea. Mrs Gair acted chorus, and Mrs Holmes read the small part of the nurse. At the conclusion of the reading, which was given under the auspices of the Otago Classical Association, Mr Bevan Brown expressed the pleasure those present had derived from listening to the skilful rendering of the tragedy, and moved a hearty vote of (banks to those who- had taken part in the reading. The Chairman, in putting the motion, which was carried by acclamation, gave it as his opinion that it was a ' splendid exposition to which they had bien treated.