New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-17
NIL7ON'S "COMCS" IN THE OPEN Air.
A BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE; BY YOUNG WOMEN
AT sToCKBRrDGE. MASS.

At sTocKBRIDGE. MASS
stockbriGge Mass Sept. Is tSpcciaD. -Stockbrdge
has reputation to sustain. II Is conceded 10 DE
one OF the most beautiful and dyllic OF berkshire
villages; II claims 10 be also the most ih'eHec'u'i
and devoted to literary pursuits II was 10 man
good this claim as well as TO make money ior 'he
Pittsfe,l House OF Mercy, that "Comus: \ Masque'
bv John Milton" was produced on TUESDAY ias' pE
a cast OF twenty-five girls. "Oft the means 10 90
good deeds make good deeds done" natural
stage of great beauty and fitness for an outdoor
play was the means IN this particular case
"Comus" as an English classic. written in EnShsh
~ the hest and pures, by of the greatest poets
hos always commanded admiration as poem as d"
,,r.,, II is not well known, and though X is pas
tora! ard has tie simplicity Of the Greek drama
and advantage of Greek draperies. its production
was regarded as a hazardous experiment. by many.
Fortunately Colonel Dwight owner OF the natural
s,oee had from the first firm belief In the posi-
b,Itles OF "Comus" and in the abilities OF All 'hose
upon whose exertons success depended
az course as first presented in 1894, at Ludlow
Castle by the children and friends or the Earl OF
Brdrewater President Of Wales "Comus possesseu
many lines not IN accordance with modern ideas OF
amusement and proprety. To Miss Ada webster
Ward a graduate OF the American Academy OF
Dramatic Arts assigned the consehia' taSN vi
.'cutting' the lines and adapting the play for repre-
sentation In this cutting of the lines Mitons own
words were preserved. when some transposi-
,,on Of them seemed necessary. but for what Is
known as stage business (snce Milton Uoupieo
himself little with thaD Miss Ward was forced 10
RELY on her own ideas and her knowledge OF the
stage methods of to-day one song. sweet Echo
was sung 70 the original music O63D copied from
manuscripts lent by Harvard Library. This was the
only bit of original music attainable For the seiec
lions of the rest choric songs and dances as also
the motifs for the principal characters, all praise
is due Mrs. John Winthrop who imbued herself win
the feeling of the play and chose melodies thorough
cord wifi
Colonel Dwight without whose constant hep and
support nothing could have been achieved pesiueS
lending his lawn. assumed all business responsioil-
ties and saw to the smooth running OF the whole
machinery.
Trees trees ALWAYS trees with afar off 10 the left
as guardian and sentinel Monument Mountain,
SCARED and grim-such was the setting OF "Comus'
when on Tuesday an admiring audience pronounced
upon 1t the verdict Of well done At Few MN
utes after O'Clock cymbals clash nolsiiy be-
hind the pines and ancient servior advances 20
announce In quaint language that the play Is about
to begin. Suddenly from beneath the overarchihs
pines dainty Greek maiden darts and pucks the
old man by the s.eeve. He stoops laughs waves
back the gentle girl. then in the words OF Shakes
peare: The actors are at hand and by thelr snow
you shall know all that sou are Ike to know re
takes his departure ana gaes nic ms nd ~ rohs Of
white and silver comes the attendant spirit Be
h iovnry yf back toward the hesven from she
comes to succor Innocence. In beautliui Neise sIe
near by hidden Even while she speaks. .ow laughs
are heard and nkling bells. and the faint ciasnng
Spirit vanishes. strain of lively music mis- the air.
and there fash into sight Bacchantes lovely IN ner
headed forms. who stand aside as Comus. superb ID
youthful beauty. advances one arm cast I0VlnSV
and danness the other arm uplifted. bearing aioI'
the hand that holds the magic cup with ITS WONDER,
life and frolic and ends as degnIuy as % T
into the and bushes. pushing aside the poushs
The music changes again and maiden comes
forth tmidly seeking her lost brothers She Is me
Lady Chaste and Innocent, whom Comus loves a.,
sight and strives 10 win: appearing 10 her eyes "a
harmless viaser As the two go iorn 10 seek s ,hy
trlstfui the two brothers themselves rush on the
scene. seeking the lost sister The Attendant :pin,
Vouns pair tells of their sisters peril, and leads
on to where Comus has conducted the innocent
The change to Act Ii is indicated in all simple
!ty by the bringing in of great SKINS tnat are vs'
upon the ground p ana nd Se ree by the
Comus now leads in the ady ana u seS
his wand and his band bear in a feast Now follows
He argues with the lady bids the rotous fo"ow-
ers dance to please her and then he bids them all
depart He offers her love, ne presses upon ner MS
magic cup TO drink but al in vain At asst. his pa
fsnce falling he seems about try force when the
brothers rush 10 the rescue, breaking through the
crowd of jewellers short, sharp fight, and Comus's
is left and renders poweriess the brothers SWORDS
To wild music with via cries Gonns ana ms i iU.
are left but she is fast seated In the encnaniej
chair Thyrsis nvokes ssbrna who loyes 10 "a, aih
lilies, dropping PUSHES; the spell Is removed The
lady and the brothers embrace; then ThyTsis con,
ducts the three through the leafy covert wde 10
safe harbor in the world beyond. .
A dance of villagers and the epi,ogue. spoken by
brosial weeds" brings the pastoral pay OF "Comus'
10 a graceful. and lifting c.ose