DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH DRAMA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 June 1927, Page 1

DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH DRAMA

ADDRESS TO STUDENTS INFLUENCE OF SHAKESPEARE That three influences went to the development of the drama from the old “morality” plays to those of Shakespeare was the opinion expressed by the Rev. Jellie in the course of a lecture to W.E.A. students last evening. The first, said Mr. Jellie, -was the renaissance of learning, and the consequent quickening of artistic appreciation; the second was the influence of Italian literature upon English playwrights; and the third was the influence exercised by the English public, whose demand for dramatic performances all the year round, instead of only at religious festivals, led to the establishment of many theatres, in which were staged hundreds of now forgotten plays of the “blood-and-thunder” type. Those in due time gave place to the works of such men of genius as Marlowe, Ividd, Lilley, etc. “Shakespeare,” said the lecturer, “while supplying all the elements demanded by the public, soared high above those writers in the method of his execution, as careful comparison between his work and theirs indicated.” A very interesting discussion followed the lecture.