OLIVER CROMWELL to be broadcast from 2YA

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 26, 8 January 1932, Page 7

OLIVER CROMWELL to be broadcast from 2YA

On Tuesday, January 12, the famous historical drama, "Oliver Cromwell, " by John Drinkwater, one of the greatest contemporary poets and dramatists, will be presented from 2YA by Victor Lloyd and his company. Those who listen will hear history as it was made.

66 (LIVER CROMWELL," a play in eight scenes, is one of the most ambitious productions yet performed over the air in New Zealand. Because of the difficulty of effectively portraying the numerous and _ varied scenes, the play is rarely performed on the stage. When produced before the microphone, however, this difficulty of course does not exist-the listener’s imagination supplying the appropriate setting, and supplying it perhaps more effectively than could be done on the stage. "Oliver Cromwell" is not only very entertaining from the dramatic point of view, but it is also highly educative, because it dramatises a turning-point in the history not only of England, but of the whole world. It marked the beginning of democracy. In the play, Oliver Cromwell is revealed not as the uneducated country bumpkin many people think he was, but as a close friend of some of the greatest poets and dramatists England has ever knownShakespeare, Milton, Herrick. Special attention is being paid to the provision of incidental music characteristic of the period of the play, and for this purpose recordings of selections played on the spinet, flute, and other musical instruments of the Stuart period have been secured. * * * * The scene opens in Cromwell’s house in Ely, about the year 1639. Cromwell’s mother, an old lady of about eighty years, and his wife Elizabeth are heard discussing Oliver. The former is rather condemnatory of his championing of the people against the unjust rule of the King, but his wife defends him. In this she is upheld by her daughter Bridget, who spiritedly maintains that her father’s militant attitude, especially with regard to the unjust seizure of the commons by the aristocracy, is. more than justified. Her grandmother, however, with the caution of old age, counsels silfnee. "T want them to be brave in peace-that’s the wav vou think

at' eighty," she remarks, referring to her sén and his closest friends, John Hampden and Henry Ireton. Nevertheless, she realises that perhaps her age has made her too cautious-"not that what Oliver’s brain is better than mine. But we have to sit still and watch." And she does so, consoling herself with reading and criticising the efforts of the poets of the day. Shortly after, Hampden and Ireton arrive and, soon after them, Cromwell himself, A discussion on the proposed seizure of the commons ensues, and they all reiterate their intention of protesting strongly against such an injustice. Two of the Lord of Bedford’s agents appear, and ask for admission. They tell Cromwell that it is rumoured he will oppose the proclamation to be made the

following day. On receiving his assurance that he will, they endeavour to persuade him otherwise, but are met with an unyielding refusal. "T know that ‘these rights are the peonle’s. ahove

any earl or . king whatsoever. The King is to defend our rights, not to destroy. them. . . The next scene, laid in the House of Commons, Westminster, is. acknowledged as one of the finest historical play scenes ever conceived.. It is past midnight, and the House is lighted. with candles. Crom--well, Hampden, and Ireton are among those sitting. A discussion on the Remonstrance, which objects to the over-ruling of the rights of the people, is in progress, and becomes very heated. Several members protest that the upholding of the Remonstrance would be tantamount to the passing of a vote of no confidence in the King, but Hampden, anxious to avoid as much trouble as possible, denies this. Cromwell, however, in a stirring speech, avers that it is so, and that the King was responsible for all the injustice under which the people: were suffering. "And this land is bruised, I tell you, by such infamies. . . . The King is part of the State, but we have a King

who has sought to put the otate tO ms private use. . . . I say it again, this that is now to be put to you is a vote of want of confidence in the King. I would it were so more expressly," and Cromwell sits amid an angry tumult. Av great excitement the question is put to the House, and the "Yeas" have it by a narrow margin. On the further question whether or no the Declaration shall be printed and distributed throughout the. land, the tumult becomes such that the Speaker leaves the House, and the session: breaks up in disorder. . . . a * * * * Cromwell’s house once more-a year. later. Mrs. Cromwell is sitting by the. fire, and Bridget (Concluded on page &\,

Oliver Cromwell (Continued from page 7.)

enters, opening a letter. It is from her father, and she reads it aloud. In it Cromwell tells of the battle of Edgehill, which was not decisive, and. states his intention of returning home to recruit more men. Soon after he enters with Ireton, who is wounded in the arm, The mayor, who had been sent for, arrives and to him Cromwell appeals for help to assemble an army. * & * The next scene reveals General Fairfax in his tent with his officers, holding a council of war. It is dawn of the day of the battle of Naseby, on which Charles has staked his all. There is some misgiving at the absence of Cromwell, who with his veteran "Ironsides" would be sorely needed in the field as an example to the remainder of the troops, who were mostly inexperienced in battle. In the distance a dust-cloud is seen, and excitement grows, breaking into cheers and exclamations of relief as it resolves into a band of horsemen, led by Cromwell. * * % It is night. The action has ended, with victory to Cromwell. Ireton is severely wounded, and Cromwell, himself battered and with a slight head wound, stands by the couch. On being assured his friend will recover, he leaves to dictate a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons. advising him of the victory. "Outside his Puritan troops are heard singing the 117th Psalm: "O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him all ye people. " * * The next scene reveals a room in Hampton Court, where Charles First, now a prisoner with the army, is lodged. Charles and his secretary. Neal, are plotting to form a secret alliance with Scotland, and to bring about their own deliverance by the invasion of a Scottish army. Charles dictates a statement setting forth his terms, guaranteeing among other things Presbyterian eontrol of England for three years and suppression of all Independents. Neal has just assured the King that Cromwell will not call on them that evening, when the door opens, and the Protector enters with Ireton. Neal has just time to conceal the seditious document under a folio case before he retires. Cromwell offers Charles his throne back, assuring him of his fullest support. "Do but give us our guarantees, and you will mount a securer throne, I think, than any king has yet

held in Wngland. .. ." Charles asks for time to consider, and Cromwell agrees. They then fall to discussing painters and painting. Charles hands Cromwell a Van Dyck drawing for his criticism and, to support it, Cromwell picks up the folio case. In replacing it, his eye falls on the fateful docnment, and Charles’s iniquity is revealed. s * a Oromwell’s house in London, on the morning of January 30, 1649-the date of Oharles the First’s execution. From a near street comes the sound of muffled drums, and Bridget, at the window, can see the heads of the pikes carried by the troops in the procession. She calls her mother, who enters, fo

lowed shortly after by old Mrs. Cromwell. The drums stop, and for several minutes all is quiet. Then, out of the stillness, they commence again, this time to the accompaniment of voices and.sounds of movement from the streets. As Ireton remarked, "He was a king and he despoiled his people. When that is, kings must perish." * * « The last scene is in Mrs. Cromwell's bedroom in Whitehall, where Cromwell is now installed as Protector. It is six years later, and Mrs. Cromwell, now 94, is on her death-bed,

She tells her son she is proud of him. "It will be a freer land because you have lived in it, my son. . . . And now, I am tired. . . . I leave my heart with you. A good night." She falls asleep, and the -curtain drops, leaving Cromwell praying at his mother’s bedside.