WILL STAGE PLAY IN A CHURCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 14, 17 January 1936, Page 4

WILL STAGE PLAY IN A CHURCH

A CRADLE BEFORE HIGH ALTAR MELBOURNE, Dec. 28. “People may get a greater mcj,.>age from seeing an appropriate religious play than from hearing many sermon-. '1 lie. drama can be used for the teaching <>f the Christian message with more effectiveness than at present.” This is the principle which has ted the vicar of St. Peter’s Church, Eastern Hill, Father F. E. Maynard, to sanction an innovation in his church, on Sunday evening, when a score of his parishioners will produce the York Nativity play after Evensong. Similar plays have been produced in church halls, but Father Maynnrd believes that they can be made more effective in the church itself, the atmosphere of which, he thinks, gives greater significance .more dignity, and a higher spirit of devotion. “Glimpse of Reality.” Providing that plays depicting historical incidents of the life of Christ are sympathetically produced by Christians, Father Maynard feels that the practice could be extended at such festival times as Christmas and Easter. “A well-acted religious play mav give a congregation a glimpse of reality such as cannot be conveyed by w’ords alone,” he said to-day. “By the production of appropriate plays church people would be able more easily to catch the atmosphere of the life of Christ. “People who have dramatic talent should lend their attention to the production of old religious plays, providing the practice is done in a thoroughly devotional spirit.” The play will be produced in front of the high altar, which will be screened off from the congregation. Every effort is being made to give it a realistic touch. Lighting devices will he used extensively. Tn one portion of the stage there will he a small straw cradle to depict the manger <he stable.