"THE BACCHAE."

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2833, 26 July 1916, Page 3

"THE BACCHAE."

DOROTHEA SPINNEY'S EECITAL. "The Baechae,'" the old, old Greek play, which is supposed to display the powers of Euripides at their best, was recited by Miss Dorothea Spinney before an appreciative audience at tho Masonic Hall last evening. As was the custom of tho times, gods and mortals go cheek by jowl in the story, the former at times forgetting the mystic power of the latter and sulVering for their lapses, in this play, more, perhaps, than in others by tho same writer, the action runs clear and comprehensive from the beginning, and tho chorus interlude, 'form the most perfect links in tho quaint old narrative. This relates to tho rites clandestinely practised by the Women of Thebes in honour of the god Dionysius, whom Pentheus, tho King of Thebes, at length makes captive and reviles for leading his womenfolk to "this craft and rottenness." From this captivity Dionsvuis releases himself without'difficulty, and Pentheus, pursuing tho elusive god, finds him once more, and makes a compact with the god to Watch the Bacchic maidens at their rites, for which purpose he dons women's attire. Whilst spying among the trees he is slain by his frenzied mother, Agave, a fearful /scene of blood related forcefully by tho Messenger. After tho murder the Queen mother, still under a spell, roams round with the head of her son, believing it to be that of a lion she killed in the forest, and a touching scene follows the realisation that it is the head of her own son she carries.

„ Miss Spinney is at her very best in The Baechae." She realises to the full the beauty of Gilbert Murray's fine translation, and adds loveliness of form, gesture and voice to a, very complete conception of the various characters concerned. To the budding reciter of proso or poetry some insight into Miss Spinney s methods should be most valuable. {ler powers of gesture are varied, expressive, and always in accord with the spirit ot the moment, and there is an innate dignity and repose that is ever so rare m platform entertainers. On Friday next Miss Spinney will recite a pierrot play entitled "A Maker of SS? lim n/' ¥. dy Gregwy's Irish play The Travelling Man," and will imitate the poses to be seen on Greek vases a graceful interlude with a musical accompaniment.