GIRL CLERK MADONNA

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1920, Page 3

GIRL CLERK MADONNA

MIRACLE PLAY IN CHURCH

LONDON, Dec. 27. Pilgrims from all parts gathered in the little Church of St. Mary, Rotlierhithe, S.E., to take part in a devotional experiment. In place of the orthodox evensong the Rector, the Rev J. C. V. Durell, decided to produce a sacred ptoy- . .... ' f While courting criticism by reason ot novelty, the experiment, judging by the rapt attention of the congregation, was fully justified. The play, entitled “On the Road to Bethlehem, a Miracle Play of the Nativity of Our Lord,” was staged in the space between the choir stalls and in front of the altar rails. Eighty performers took part. Their robes neic designed by the rector’s wife from old pictures of Palestine. ■s, Just before the first scene opened the lights in the church were dimmed, except those near the altar, which had been focused on to the space where the performance was to take place. On the altar itself was a great mass of white dahlias, forming an imposing background. The first scene, which dealt with the prophecy of the coming of Our Lord, was a “place of assembly” and the chorus, led by the cross-bearer and singing the carol “Come tune your heart, filed out of the vestry. They filled the space before the altar with colour. Then flowing robes were mostly red and green, with turbans of many colours wrapped round their heads. The part of a herald was played by*the rector. ' Scene two was a street in Bethlehem. St Joseph, played by Mr C. W. Cobon, a local engineer, made his appearance dressed in flowing robes and wearing a long black beard. St Joseph seeks shelter from the innkeeper, but is refused and is led to the stable by a small child. BEAUTIFUL MANGER SCENE. The stable makes a beautiful picture. The Holy Child is lying in the Manger. The Blessed Virgin kneels beside Him ; St Joseph stands behind leaning on his staff.

The congregation* arc at once struck with the remarkable beauty of the girl depicting the Blessed Virgin. Her robe is of dark blue, and her head and shoulders are swathed in a white mantle. Hoi features are fair and clear cut, and she wears an expression of tenderness. The girl who is playing the sacred part is Miss Nellie VVooledge, a young ledger clerk ip the City. She was shortly to liawe been married, but her fiance died quite recently. Another outstanding impersonation

of a sacred part was that given by aims Elsie Collyer, a nurse who is engaged at a local hospital, who appeared as an angel. She wore a long white robe with a golden waistband, and her black hair fell in two long plaits. Two large swan s wings wove attached to her back. The play was watched by the congregation with reverential silence. Many expressions of approval were aftcnvarcs tendered to the rector.