Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-05-05
THE ROMAN DRAMA.
Facts About a Presentation That Promises
to BE Notable.

Facts About Presentation That Promises
to BE Notable.
Several points seem to need explaining
in connection with the Roman drama TO
be given in the town hall Friday evening,
May 10, in connection with the Latin
conference. As has been announced.
there will be presented certain scenes in
the life of Cicero centeriug about the
conspiracy of Catiline. While these
scenes do not furnish a strictly continu-
Gus action, thread of connection runs
through them all, while at the same time
an Independent interest attaches to each.
In the presentation, Latin will of course
be the language used. but a Latin Eng
lish libretto is being prepared. so that no
one need experience any difficulty on
that score {; and indeed the action itself
is so thoroughly dramatic as to carry its
own explanation. No one, therefore,
need be deferred from going by the fear
that he will not be able to understand.
The dialogue, moreover, is but one of
many factors making up the whole
effect. Pictures are a universal Ian
guage, and the pictorial element is being
worked out In a really remarkable way.
II Is hardly to be doubted that the details
of background. stage appointments, and
costume are being developed with an
intelligent and panstaking care never
before given in this country to spec
tacle of such nature. The scenery by
Mr.. Witham fully justifies the position
accorded him at the head of the classical
scene painters of his profession. The
temple interior, the Forum, the Roman
house are not only beautiful examples of
their makers art, but striking revela-
tions of the illusions that can be created
by simple paint on canvas the shallow
stage stretches back into seemingly i'm
possible distances. The enlargement,
however, is not altogether of the illusory
sort; the stage has been brought forward
several feet to meet the demand for addi-
tional space. The lighting of it, too,
will be wholly different, a hundred mean
descents, arranged above and entirely
concealed from the audience. giving bril-
lance to the scenes below. The director
of the whole is of course Professor San
ford, whose knowledge of the sub
ject and executive ability are a
guarantee of notable results. A word
should be added as to the price of admis-
sion. The end in view is of course edu-
cational-if making money were the OBJ
iect the methods employed would be very
poor business. No expense is being
spared to make the occasion unique in
its aesthetic and historical value, and
when it is over the satisfaction of having
| done so will be regarded by the author
/ tiles AS ample recompense for the large
deficit that at the very best is sure to re-
suit. They have felt, though, that the
public to whom so rare an opportunity
for enjoyment is offered will be very glad
to reduce that deficit as much as possible
BY paying an admission fee that In view
of all the circumstances is surely reason
able-that in comparison with similar
charges at Harvard and elsewhere is re-
markably low. All seats, therefore,
have been put at Sl.00, and they will be
reserved without extra charge. They
will go on sale at SteIns's next Monday
at , o'clock.