New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-28
" ANTIGONE" TO BE GIVENINNEW-HAVEN
THE ACTORS WILL BE WOMEN PROMINENT IN
THE SOCIETY OF THE CITY.

THE ACTORS WILL BE WOMEN PROMINENT IN
THE SOCIETY OF THE CITY.
New-IIaven. Dec. 27 (spcciaD-Ncw- Havens social
leaders are Just now full Of expectnt excitement the
result Of a report that the "Angone' OF Sophocles is
in rehearsal and is to be presented the Hyperion
stage by Of the ladies Of New-lIavcn. The sug
qestion to present the play made several weeks
ago. and finally Mrs s. IIartve Chapman and Mrs
George Farnum, two of New IIavens most energetic
leaders I'm society. offered to assume all financial
responsibility II the required hlstronc talent "ouiu
sacrifice such commonplace frlvote, became neces
sary and agree to give the undertaking their unreseryed
attention. The magnitude OF the task was specially
sci forth for 1t not the idea Of these ladies' TO de-
ceve either themselves or prospective Agones as to
the amount Of physical and nervous force required 10
carry it through The Greek professors Of Yale, Pro
fessors Reynolds and Seymour both promised heartily
to aid the enterprise in every possible way. ADoul
this time Greek literature, bearing in any way upon
the customs the manpcrs and the costumes OF Sopho
clcs's time began 10 disappear from the college library
Bellies even began TO cultivate the statuesque IN De
portrne1t and conversation At all afternoon
teas and receptions the discussion reachcu
high plane of Greek thought. When preliminary
plans had been adopted, Frank sargent of the
New York Dramatic School, and Miss story, also vi
New York, engaged. The former is the geheini
director and Instructor the latter acts 40 coa'h'
Everything has been conducted on stHct business
PRINCIPLES. Mr. sargent mas NCLuFcu "llu h"N~"N
the women, instrlciing them one moment ana study
ing them the next determine their iistrlOnc capdc'
ty. Parts were assigned the lines were memorlzed'
and rchcarsal, were begun. Then followed the re
assignment Of parts the learning OF lines over again.
and the beginning Of new rehcarsals. Everything
proceeded with the discipline enforced at every well
regulated and successful theatre. neartburnings at
the defeat Of personal ambition were passed over III
contcmpt,Ious silence The campaign in Greek litera-
.I H.. any ettfh
ment Of a purely personal character. Mr. Sargent
finally selected hi, and chorus and for over three
weeks. those fortunate enough to be included have
been working almost constantly to attain the degree
OF excellence desired.
Antigone has only once before been given in this
country. IN, place Bum>'ad Hall Boston. ana
the time March Il last Professors White and 'ope'
land Of Harvard and Frank sargent had charge Ot
the production there and personally supervised the
assignment Of part, drilling ~ the performers.
When produced, The play proved seven DAYS wonder
The To,tonan, adhered strictly 10 the idea of making
the affair strictly feminine one, and not only eX-
Guided from the cast. but also from the audiences.
permitting only 70 wtne>, the ancient tragedy.
The New llaycncrs have excluded men from the cast.
but do not propo to exclude them from The audiences
The arrangement OF the Hyperion for the play will
odd enough to those who know nothing Of the Old
Crock tirair-. The Greek tragedy was In important
respect, different from modern. In the first place. the
Greek theatre huge semi-circular amphltheatrc
Of seats, capable OF seating The nhah ants Of whole
city. The orchestra which corrcsponded Ia the mod ern
parquct Was tvcl bar Of spectators, and strcwn with
sand The ,fage Of the IIyphon is immense. It's
font part Will be made to represent creek orchestra
and a regular creek stage will be built In the rear
In thi, orchestra the chorus Of fifteen Will remain
throughout the play. There will be curtain. II
is Intended put the play the stage as nearly IN
accordance with ancient tradition possible. Masks.
however will be worn. and probably larger
choul, than The regulation fifteen Will be trained.
Antigonc oharrtc OF the heroic age Of Grceoc. Wa,
the daughter of Ocdpus by hi, own mother. She ac-
COMMANDED hcr fafnrr In his exile into COlOnus IN
Atuca. and after hl, death returned 10 ThcbeS.
EtcOc~. the KING. had varqui,hcd his brother. Poly
uicrs. VINO. coming back with an army. engaged him
lu ~ combat Both fell and Groom, who after their
death became Ivraut OF Ih"h"~, i->rd an cdlct forbid
ding their utrrmsut. AniEOnc alone dared To d,ocY.
she buried royuca- and Wu- IN con~cqu nee, sized hy
AID locked up $50 the same tomb with her father
yhcr' -I- pert Icd. This -"ut'uC" threw IiamOn son
If Cr.on. who WITS hdrpthcd - Antlc0nc, into -uch
dr,pair thut he took his own hf'. Professor >ey-
moi.r ha- I..t deliver Il TWO lectures concerning the
Ant. gono and lt~ author. -opho'l.o.
Nj =. li'rVcll Chapman ma, been selected for he
uar' If Groom Nj, Anna Richards viii mprr-Ouatc
litrmon Nj, Lily Nh". EurYdIc". wife II trc1n,
Nh II. Grant Thompson AutIsuuc Miss lics>" beach.
m,.-,ugrr Mis- =. Parlcc I-n.nc: Mrs J. H. sargent
VIII appotr In 10" character Of the pr to~S. who offers
The divine lha' oils ~ the altar she VIII be- escorted
Do, two attendants. Mis-, Loua FaUum aud Mis- Edith
IroWbrdg'. m" chorus ~ twelve Thchau elders and q
.upplcmrnfary chorus Of thirty voices will enlist The
musical talent Of the city. The play will be 20
p"'~ several time, and the proceeds will 20 to N,
Yale lnfrnary.