MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22371, 19 September 1934, Page 14

MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

MORALITY PLAY PRESENTED During the past few years there have been revivals in England of religious plays of the Middle Ages, known as “morality plays,” in which a simple symbolic story is presented in an ecclesiastical setting without many of the effects that the drama has assumed since that time. It was a play of this kind entitled “Everyman,” written In the fifteenth century; that was presented in the church by members of the Church of St. Peter, Caversham, last night before a large congregation. Of deep moral significanace, it was easily understood since it converted the abstract into concrete form, and provided an enlightening insight into the manners of the time m which it was written. Opening with the plight of man when he is unexpectedly summoned by death, it showed how he might by renunciation of his sins and bis worldly vestments make himself fit to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and incidentally showed from what quarter a mau before whom the grave yawns suddenly might expect support and guidance. •

Although only a few of the characters were in costume the setting of the play lent it a dignity that could not'Otherwise have been attained, and an added effect was produced by the style in which it was written. While pursuing his customary way of life Everyman is suddenly overtaken by Death, who informs him that he must immediately leave this life and face a reckoning of his deeds upon earth. He begs for time to put his house in order, and when be finds that that is impossible he thinks he may be able to persuade some of his friends to accompany him on his mysterious journey. In spite of vain promises, all his friends —even his relatives —fail him. he finds that,he cannot carry his gold beyond the grave, and he is forced to place his reliance on beauty, strength, discretion, and his five wits. Beauty docs not find the journey to her taste, however, and when his strength leaves him discretion follows in its wake. Even his wits forsake him, and when the grim messenger comes to bear him hence, he finds that it is only his good deeds and his knowledge that can. be of any help. Before he can fit himself to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, however, be must renounce all his sins, and it is only when he has been brought to a state of penance that the waiting angel may receive him. The performance of the members of the cast was on the whole very good, the character of Everyman being particularly well sustained, and the members of the church are to be congratulated, on introducing to Dunedin a type' of religious entertainment that has not previously been attempted here.