Masefield Writes Nativity Play

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 24

Masefield Writes Nativity Play

Presentation in Canterbury Cathedral “AN OFFERING OF GIFTS” John Masefield has been honoured by an invitation to write a Nativity play for Canterbury Cathedral, says a London writer. Gustav Holst has added the music, and Charles Ricketts, R.A., has designed the costumes, the whole being regarded as a dedication of “the arts of poetry, music and painting to the service of religion.” The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev. J. K. A. Bell, conceived the idea last summer. He found Mr. Masefield eager to give his help, and Mr. Holst was no less enthusiastic. Mr. Ricketts, who lives near Canterbury, was called in, and Canterbury was required to furnish actors and singers Local carpenters provided the properties, and the Canterbury School of Arts the scenery. Nothing more closely resembling the effort which gave England the mystery plays of the Middle Ages has been attempted in this generation. “The Coming of Chirst” is the title of the play. It will be performed at the east end of the nave, with the choir screen as a background. There will be little need for scenery. The great tiers of steps leading to the choir will furnish a natural stage, i Owing to the existence of the underJ croft at Canterbury, the choir and | sanctuary of Canterbury Cathedral are

higher than the level of th® *2 Hence the tiers of steps to right . left of the great arch at the hesa ■ the nave. The nave might well been designed for the P rese ““r" of a religious drama, a curtained a _ in the centre of the stone screen an additional virtue from the sta*point of mystery drama. The s columns of the nave and the • glow of colour from the stained windows will enhance the bean. the setting. Mr. Masefield has all his plans with the cathedral ting in mind. His songs are pn the mouths of the heavenly ' which will serve as the chorus play. This chorus of angels win from the top of the choir There will be a subsidiary cllolr ’ 5 resenting those in attendance I* the Three Magi, who will move rein front of the manger In BetUe There will be no charge for’ tance to “The Coming of Christdean has described is as an religious dedication, proper Whitsuntide Festival. ‘Here. Rays, “is an offering of sd ts JJlljp music, beauty of colour ana singing and acting and arts an Here also is the presen tat ion religious truth to man s lnia * and senses in a glorious form 4 Mr. Masefield has also d tragedy around the life ap ppJezebel. Ahab’s queen, whicn _ duced in London recently. t field's imagination Queen e very modern, being, gaged upon an intrigue in JLjp d» pacifism. The last sc ® n ?_- n n*tr» robing and crowning of # Shakespeare’s play, aofl « .need* 1 portunities for some tell ,sc by the queen. Mr. Masefield a chorus of the Hellenic . » ’ comments upon the dc,ms l and other characters in “