Miracle Plays

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 8

Miracle Plays

ill Two Auckland Churches

THERE are many at this end of the earth who cherish a belief's mounting almost to an article of religion that the Church and the stage are to be regarded as forever opposed in purpose and principle. To these it will eonie as a matter of some interest to learn that two Anglican churches in Auckland intend independently this Christmas-tide to execute within the holy walls and before the altar certain theatrical performances. This will be the first time such a thing has been attempted in New Zealand.

It should be hardly necessary to observe that, although the season is one of glad, tidings and great joy, the “show” to be “put on” by each parish will not take the form of secular entertainment. Next week the girls’ club of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will depict six living pictures from the story of the Nativity of Christ in a presentation called the “Christmas Mystery,” directed by Miss M. E. Pulling, late headmistress of the Diocesan High r\r rlr y'r - : r -f- rr r'- re tp rir ~'r rn rrr tit tit

School. The reason for staging the pageant in the church is explained by the Rev. G. Gordon Bell, who writes in his parochial gazette that “it is only in church that the reverent atmosphere which should surround the mysteries of the faith can be obtained.” Each scene will be prefaced by an explanation of its action, given by the “Messenger of God,” and will be accompanied with excerpts from the “Messiah,” and carols. St. Paul’s Church has for some time been engaged in the rehearsal of the “Drama of the Nativity,” to be given a week before Christmas and on Christmas night. The drama will be played by both men and women and will also include six acts. The pro-

dueers are the Rev. Cecil Watson and Mr. W. J. Crowther, who Is well known in theatrical circles. Rehearsals, held on Sunday afternoon, have been carried out in a deeply religious spirit. The scenes, which take the form of living tableaux, with appropriate lighting effects, include the Annunciation, the adoration of the shepherds at the manger, and the coming of the magi, three eastern kings, to Bethlehem. Within the last half century there has been a great revival in the Church of the old English manner of teaching its faith by pageantry and “mystery” or miracle plays. This is reflected in the growing magnificence of coronation ceremonies, which at the accession of King Edward and King George were attended with a splendour of which only a glimmer had been manifest at- the crowning of George IV and Victoria. The play in church is now a common thing in Great Britain. Teaching through the eye is found to have a more profound influence than a score of brilliant sermons. Last Whitsuntide a play entitled “The Coming of Christ,” specially written by John Masefield, was performed in Canterbury Cathedral before a vast congregation. In medieval times Church and stage were closely allied. Indeed, it was in the Church that the theatre in England was cradled. From the wandering pilgrims of Chaucer’s day came the “mystery” play which, down through the centuries, has maintained a foremost place on the Continental stage. But in Britain the Church and the theatre were embittered and divorced in the Puritan regime. Since the Reformation and righ down to the late 19th century it has been fashionable to regard Church and stage as virtually irreconcilable. Following on the revival in the Church of England during the last 50 years, largely brought about by the Oxford movement, Puritanism has had to loosen its stranglehold upon the nation. Lacking the freshening influence of its lost spirituality the stage had become debased. Both Church and stage needed cleaning up. No man has done more than Henry Irving to purify the theatre and bring it into closer relationship with the Church. Nothing has done more than the Oxford movement to purify the Church and bring it closer to the stage.