The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-07
A RELIGIOUS DRAMA.

''rHE P1LGRIM's pnoGREss' PLAYED IN LON
DON CHURCH-A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENES
Tho dramatic representation Of Bunyan' greatest
work which Mr.. George Macdonald and family gave
last week at tho City Temple. and have given
elsewhere on previous occasions is" says London
Truth. ga very curious performance. 1t bears a
greater resemblance to the 'Moralities' of Henry
Wis reign than to the Miracle Plays and Mys-
teries' that proceeded them. But as THE Pilgrims
Progress was intended to represent the triumph of
the virtues the vices dramatic version of the
work belongs properly to the 'Moralities." which
were designed for similar purpose. The perform
consists OF series OF episodes of tho nature Of
those which form tho groundwork of many hstor-
ical plays. Tho scenery IS OF the simplest and most
rudimentary character. At the City Temple a stage
was cxtcmporized at the pulpit end of the build
ing. DIR. Parkers rosrum being concealed from
view by calico SCREEN which also served
for background. When the curtain rises Chris-
tana and her arc discovered engaged in CONVEX
saton about tho deceased Christian. heavenly mes
senger in white and yellow then appears, and invites
the family to set out the journey successfully
soihcy visited by those symbocal personages.
MfH Batseyes, Mrs. 1imorous and Mercy, the FIRST
named in crimson gown. blue spectacles and q
haxen wig. being very humorous. After some moro
conversation they separate, Christiana and family
setting out on their way to hymn tune. Scene ?
a while unavaiiinsiy. At length the gateseeper' in
still more yellow costume than when he appeared as
the heavenly messenger, admits them all but Mercy,
who liz shut out. She thcreupon knocks on her own
account. and then stretches herself beore the gatc
that the audience experience horrible fear that
the gatckceper. coming out unsuspoctingly, will fall
her Ia tho manner that the policeman falls over
the clown In pantomimo. This. happily, he does
not do. but raises Mercy and takes her ip. Scene
shows the House Beautiful; its proprictress is dis
closed entertaining the piigrms with oranges and
cako. Enter Mr.. George Macdonald, AZ Grcathcart,
In q suit of polished tin and helmet very much at
the back Of his head, and enter also various other
cmblcnatical characters, such rs Feeblemnd.
In whom IL liz not difficult to discern the
heavenly messenger and tho gatckeeper Of pre-
vious scenes. but who in his present disguise of
limping gait, whitcned facc and stick held before
him with both hands. has ludicrous resemblance to
our old friend Pantaoon. They talk together tor
while. OF giving utterance to the pious scnti
mcnts of Bunyan. Presently Mr.. Brisk. heavenly
messenger. gatckecper and Fecblcmnd lin another
dress) comes In and makes love to Mercy. who puts
his affection the test by inviting him to carry her
bundle. much as Polly Ecclcs asks Captain Hawtrcc
TO hold the KETTLE Tho next ia in the Valley of
Humiliation. through which the pilgrims pass.
escorted by the valiant Greatheart. Scene 8
shows tho land of Beulah, with q pretty
background of glowing sky and bright
loavcd trees. Here. after much converse.
another heavenly messenger appears. armed with q
peacocks feather, with which II beckons the moro
elderly pilgrims Including Mr.. Honest, in whom we
again. and for tho last time. the ubiquitous
first heavenly mcssenger) to cross the river which
thcy do behind the screen. Then tho curtain comes
down upon arcathoart soius. clasping his sword to
his bresst IL will be from this sketch OF the
enter tanment given by Mr.. George Macdonald aud
family that the performers have little scope for dis
playing their ability except in dialogue; but in
this most of them certainly shine. Tho lady who
played Christiana did so with earnestncss of
manner and purity of speech that admirable
and nearly much may be said OF tho other princi
| pal characters. The music, which has no unim.