The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-20
"EvERYMAN"
PRESENTED
AT BROWN
Presentation Of Old Morality
Play Witnessed by Brilliant
Audience In Say|es Hall.

"Everyman." morality play OF the
fifteenth century, was presented by Mr.
Charles Frohman under the auspices OF
the English department OF Brown uni
versity at sayies hall yesterday afternoon
and evening. When the piece was first
given by Mr.. Frohman in New York II
was not expected 10 prove a success, In
fact three successive presentations were
expected TO be its life. IT Is always the
unexpected that happens and the at
mosphere Of the work found the heart
OF the public and Il approved. II has
continued TO approve and the large audi
ences that witnessed the presentations
yesterday had nothing but the warmest
praise for "Everyman."
The morality Ia indeed a curious form
OF the drama and had undoubtedly It's
birth I'm the church. which exerted great
influences upon the drama at the begin
ming. The first dramas came through
the monasteries. and nuns and priests
kept alive their love OF II by reading
from Plautus and Terence. Even as early
as the tenth century we hear OF Bene-
dictne nun who wrote several comedies
and as far back as 800 A. ID. there is
record Of a play called Christos Pascos.
The atmosphere surrounding Every
man" is religious. The play has all the
together with the entertaining points Of
a play. II makes one think! There is
not the slightest doubt of this.
The precise date Of the composition
Of "Everyman' is unknown. but IL Is
probably OF Dutch origin and made Its
first appearance in English I'm 1881. Its
staging Is peculiar. Imagine a stage
which borders on being an altar having
the weird and somewhat uncanny effect
OF the tomb and yet not quite losing
sight OF the effects OF the stage OF today.
The characters come in most OF them,
from the front. and the devia tion from
pieces OF today strikes one as peculiar.
The moral OF "Everyman' Is always
apparent and It strikes clean. II takes
"Everyman." the chief character through
his long Journey. In the beginning, when
commanded 10 begin this journey. hc en-
dcavors 10 obtain 2omranionship. and
turns in his plight 20 Felaship," "KNn-
rede" and "Cosin." all W whom in turn
refuse 70 accompany him. Goodies ~
next implored by "Everyman' to 60 with
him on his long journey. but Is refused.
Tren in his distress no t"rns TO Cool
Deeds" who answers his request by saw
ing that she IL so weak and overc >no
by "Everyman's" sins tnat she cannot
go She. however says she will call
knowledge" TO his assistance. and she
declares her willingness TO stand by
"Everyman" st the judgment seat l'y
her advice "ETeryman" addresses him
self TO Confession"
Then the true journey begins and a
mortal weakness overcomes him. Then
one by one his companions, Beauty,
Strength" Discretion" the " Five
Wits" desert him. but Good Deeds" and
knowledge" stand by him TO the end
a he passes away into the arms Of death.
As an angel appears to carry Every
mans" soul heavenward the Doctor In
a few words epitomizes the great moral
lesson the play has taught.
There are no names given to the cast.
but Miss Wynne- Mathieson of the orig
inal cast IL understood 10 portray the
character OF "Everyman." She IL worthy
OF all praise. Her voice Is simply won
derful every movement Is grace and she
does her work with an earnestness and
force that hold her hearers. one might
say, spellbound. Her best dramatoc emo
tion In seen at the point where she asks
Goodies" 20 accompany her On the Jour
ney and when before Confession. There
Is not n character in the piece but what
Is well pla ced-in every instance the elo-
cution IL excellent and this point enters
naturally into the piece.
II IL only just and fair that the English
department OF th> unlversit5 IS 20 be
sincerely congratulated upon giving the
people OF Providence an opportunity TO
witness this remarkable. uniqu, ana In
terfstlng performance.