The times., 1897-04-12
THE0s0PHY IN THE DRAMA
Mrs. Tingley, Leader of the
Crusaders, Writes a Play.
ALL NATIONS REPRESENTED
a Unique Production Entirely Free
From Plot and Intended to Show
the Work Accomplished by the
Apostles of Mystery ry-Anniversary
of the Birth OF Leader Judge.

New York, April 11.-Mrs. Katherine
A Tingley, the Theosophist crusader, who
recently returned to New YoIk after n
world-girdling tour in tie interests OF the
cult, has just blossomed cut as play
wright Her play will be given its first
netropolitan production next Tuesday
evening in the theater of tie knickerbocker
Athletic Club, Madison avenue and Forty
fifth street. Theosophists all over the
country will be celebrating on Tuesday,
that being the anniversary of the birth
of williai.. Z JuCse, the deceased leader
of the movement, so that MIS- Tingley
has chosen fitting time to make her
bow in the character of i mystical pla y
wright
As explained 10y Mrs. Mayer, who is
stage manager and various other things
In connection with the production, the
play, which is entitled The First Cru
sade,'' is intended to disc lose to the
audience the work accomplished 10y the
crusaders whom Mrs. katherine Tingley
chaperoned around the world.
The curtain rises on a family gather
ing, in which all the countries visited by
the crusaders are represented. America,
being the youngest country, and therefore
the youngest member of the family, is
not supposed TO know much about any
thing, aud least of all about the great de-
ings of theosophical globe trotters. So
America has to sit stiu and be good while
the rest OF the family tell her all about 1t
To emphasize theided Of all the countries
being on loving and intimate terms, cable
reports TO the contrary withstanding,
the fifteen characters in the play are
united in "a circle by white cord, which
they hold at intervals. In this dramatic
attitude the characters are discovered -
The performers are clad in costumes
characteristic of the countries they rep
Resent. These countries are England Scot
land, Ireland, Sweden. France, Holland,
Germany, Switzerland, Austria Italy,
Greece, China, Japan, India, Egypt and
America America is represented by Miss
Marie FERN dressed as the Goddess Of
Liberty.
Truth is 10 be represent ed by Miss Raj
ston, young lady OF taller stature than
the Others, her height being intended to
call attention to the fact that Truth, OF
4JGOeOHlASs IL AAtsid anu eItHiOSiS Sup'i1OA
to mere matters of racial difference.
When the curtain has risen to slow music
the various characters will strike attitudes,
with Truth in the center OF the stage.
America will also come in for a gen..r al
share of the calcium light for her position
is reclining one at the feet of Truth.
The other countries do their best 10 fall
into picturesque poses around the central
figures. Then Truth opens the show by
raising America to her feet and addressing
her as follows;
"Stand up. my favorite child, because
through your fidelity to my messengers
h p Blavatsky and william Q. Judge-I
have been enabled to proclaim To men
and women throughout the world my
teachings of wisdom. For years was tie
crusade led by Katherine A. Tinglcy, and
it was made possible by the heroic self
sacrifice of your first president, William
G. Judge. whose memory we are here 10
perpetuate on this, his birthday anniyer-
sary. People of every nationality are
fIocking 10 my standard, and already tie
dawn is breaking of that happy day when
my dominion shall reach from pole to
pole, and all nations shall dwell together,
united by this cord of universal brother
hood
Following this sweeping prediction comes
an assurance of everlasting friendship
from England, which makes America blush
and Truth turn pale, so intense IS it.
Then Scotland steps forward and makes
another speech of welcome, and ireland
declares that Erin is awakening, and
the light of your torch is reflected in the
warm hearts of her sons
France modestly declares that twe but
renew the link forged by our ancestors in
the mighty upheavals of the past" After
some grandiloquent phrases have heen ut
tered ny each of the countries represented,
India and Egypt make the two garlands
into one and crown America, who makes a
little speech of thankfulness to the speech
makers
Then America goes up to the bust OF VII
liam Q. Judge, which has been benignly
surveying the proceedings, and places the
garland upon it's brow. After this the en-
tire company, assisted by 800 singers in the
orchestra seats, will sing in chorus:
Dare to do right: dare to he true;
You have a work that no other can do.
The final curtain viii descend as the last
words of the song are sung, and Mrs Ting
ley will then address the gathering, ex-
planning how she came TO circle the globe,
what she thinks OF theosophy, and what in
duced her to write play.