“EVERYMAN”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 246, 29 July 1937, Page 3

“EVERYMAN”

ANCIENT MORALITY PLAY.

PRESENTED IN ST. STEPHEN’S. Impressive in its theme, its setting and its presentation, the old morality play, “Everyman,” drew a full quota of people to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church last evening, and the object of the play must have been fully borne home to all who saw it. That much time and thought had gone to its preparation was apparent throughout. Period costumes were used and these added greatly to the striking lighting and sound effects which were employed with marked success.

Introducing the play, tne Ven. Archdeacon A. J. Petrie said that “Everyman” created history for the Church as being the first seriQus entry into a new field. The natural setting for the play was the Church, with its atmosphere of reverence and holiness. He referred to the deep symbolic meaning of the play. Warm appreciation of the work of the players was felt throughout the audience, though, naturally, in the circumstances this approval could not be shown by applause. The play opens with the voice of God calling on Death to go to Everyman. Then Everyman, gay and carefree, enters with friends and is suddenly confronted by the grim Reaper who moves forward to claim him. Everyman pleads for respite, offers his worldly goods for one more day, but there is no respite. Everyman prays for mercy, but receives the answer that life was but lent to him. Then, as Everyman seeks to realise his position, Death moves to the background but remains there, always retady to claim his harvest, throughout the play. Everyman recognises that he is all unready to go on the dangerous journey he must take with Death, and his fears increase as Time sounds at intervals, reminding him that he soon must be gathered up. There is none to whom he can turn. Then Goodfellowship appears, but while offering him consolation for the moment, declines to go with him on his journey and departs. Friends and Kinsmen are called upon by Everyman, but all they can do is urge him to be merry and glad, and they, too, depart. Goods and Riches, upon whom lie had ahvays set great reliance, only mock him in his extremity. Goods and Riches, he finds, were only lent to him for a season.

At a loss as to whom next he might turn, Everyman calls on his Good Deeds and Knowledge. The latter urges him #io go to the cleansing river of confession, and Everyman repents. He is told that mercy is assured if he will ask it of God. Everyman undertakes his penance and scourges himself, whereupon Good Deeds, hitherto held back by weakness, come to his side. Everyman, with the aid of Knowledge, dons the purple robe of Sorrow. He calls Beauty, Strength, his Five Wits and Discretion to his side, and all seems well with him. What more does he need ? But Time passes and as they learn of Everyman’s impending journey, his supporters leave him one by one. Everyman, clothed in white after turning to God for mercy, and bearing a moss, sees first Beauty, then Strength and Discretion, followed by his Five Wits depart, leaving him with only Knowledge and Good Deeds beside him while Death steals up and enfolds him. The final scene shows him before the altar with an angel, having left only his Good Deeds. Th,e use of spot-lights to pick out the several characters as they spoke was done impressively and a tense atmosphere was created in the scenes where special lighting was employed. A collection was taken up to defray the expenses, the balance to be devoted toward the provision of new altar panels. “Everyman” will bo presented again this evening, and if the .demand for seats is as keen as on the first night it seems likely that the play will be given at another date as well. Such a presentation as that last evening deserves to be seen by many more people than St. Stephen’s Church can accommodate.