BEAUTIFUL PAGEANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 850, 19 December 1929, Page 10

BEAUTIFUL PAGEANT

CHRISTMAS DRAMA GIVFv IN ST. PAUL’S N

STORY. OF THE NATIVITY

The .atmosphere of and.,. Palestine with all its rich colour and mysticism formed a beautiful setting for the “Drama of th Nativity”—the story of the i nc ' nation of Christ—which was pre! sented last evening in St. Pau’’, Church. City, before a large co * gregation, which included Arch bishop Averill, Archdeacon g Mac Murray and a number of Auck! land clergy.

Although the drama was a silent por. trayal of the Gospel narrative of the coming of Our Lord, except for carols and appropriate hymns and certain spoken parts, the story carried its message by the very high standard of the players’ acting. To the smallest detail the costuming and property ad. juncts were faithful to the usage ot Biblical times.

The drama was acted- oa a large stage set up in front of the chancel and screened from the chancel and high altar until the last scene, when the drapings were drawn and the altar revealed in a blaze of light as the throne of God.

Performed within holy walls, the drama would have failed in its p ur . pose had not the whole representation been given in a spirit of devotion and reverence. It was like a Scrip tural film story without the need of sub-titles.

The drama, which consisted of a series of seven scenes, was directed by the vicar, the Rev. Cecil Watson, in collaboration with Mr. W. j. Crowther. The music was arranged by the organist, Dr. W. E. Thomas. Before each scene the vicar read from the Scriptures the story of the scene to follow.

The play opened with the Annunciation, in which were seen Mary, the central figure, and Joseph. In her simple blue robe, a fillet of gold about her head, the Blessed Virgin invested the scene with a rare beauty. She filled a difficult part with dignity and an appealing devotion, her portrayal being worthy of the best in stage art The Archangel Gabriel appeared as through a mist and stood before her with the Divine message of the coming of Christ. The effect was attained with the aid of a gauze curtain and softly diffused light. The second scene depicted the ar. rival of Mary and Joseph at the inn. The picture was animated and vivid, the colouring beiug heightened by the presence of Roman soldiers. Then followed a scene by night showing the shepherds asleep round their fire in the fields. A partial black-out gave the background for the appearance of the angels bringing the good news. The shepherds were then seen bowing iu adoration before the Holy Child in the stable. Thence to the court of King Herod, where in a striking blend and contrast of colour the Three Wise Men were received by the king. The curtain comes down on Herod’z order to the soldiery for the slaytng of the innocents. Next the Magi are shown worshipping the babe and offering their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As a great finale there comes a procession of all nations from the north door of the church to the stage, and the altar is revealed with the Celebrant of the Divine mysteries and deacon and sub-deacon in the vestments of their office. The “Drama of the Nativity” will be given again on Christmas night