New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-13
SMITH GIRLS IN OLD PLAY
"Sakuntala," Never Before Given in Amer
lea, To Be Seen at Commencement.

lea, To Be Seen at Commencement.
The graduating class OF Smith College will this
year present play of such wide scholarly and
dramatic interest that It feels though it has
cost departure from the established custom of
giving Shakespearian comedy that this work OF
the Shakespeare OF the East" is well worth its
best energies.
The drama, "Sakuntala is a Hindoo production.
and dates from early the second century
n. . Its author. Kalidasa The ''Sophoces of the
Itlrdoo drama" hourshed in the golden age of
Oriental civilization. the reign OF the Raah Vikra-
maditaya. 'Sakuntala" is said 70 be Kalidasa's
masterpiece. Sir William Jones. the distinguished
orientalist. discovered it. and published prose
translation in 1872. About the middle Of the last
century another scholar. Monier Williams, made a
prose and metricaI version of T. the form in which
the original stands il is interesting fact that
IN the ancient Hindoo drama the male characters
spoke Sanscrit. and the women and minor char
acters used Pracrit. sort of dialect.
Alice 9Icrgan Wright, of the senior class. has
recast tie whole play changing the phrasing. and.
in some particulars. the plot. suit the present
stage presentation. Bun this recasting has had a
reconstructve rather than destructive. character
its aim being always to restore MUCK rs possible
Of the rich poetry and sentiment thac strict
translation takes away
The plot is simple. and centres entirely in one
love story; but there is a distinctly humorous ele-
ment in the character Of the jester, who always
appears IN the Hindoo plays and invariably
characters especially attractive in this play
The hero Dushyanta, is a direct descendant of the
Moon and the representative Of the great Lunar dy
Rsty, and Sakuntaa the heroine. is the daughter Of
a nymph by mortal father. who is the central fig
IN the Ramayana. Dushyanta, the rajah. 50
the plot, sees Sakuntala ia the garden of the
hermitage Of her foster-father, and at once falls
IN love with her. She his affection. and he
marries her. But cholerlc old sage. whom she
has offended by neglecting the rites Of hospitality
Srg Yharr, aud hat uShV
forget his bride unless the royal signetring
which is the token Of their wedding.
This prophecy proves all too true. and Sakun-
tala leaves her home in the jungle seek her lord
the palace. But she loses her ring on the jour
ney. the rajah does not recognize her and sends
her away. Here the present version departs from
the original which represents the sorrowing
woman being carried off TO the sky by the gods,
and instead makes her seek refuge in the noun
tains. In the mean time. the ring comes into the
Rajah's hands. and he is wild with grief when he
remembers all that it signifies. After seven years
OF untirng search for his lost wife. during which
he not neglect the affairs OF state but rules
his great kingdom well. he finds. one day in the
mountains. or. according TO the original on ms way
to the sky. lad who bears on his hand the mark
of empire" peculiar TO the royal race He seeks out
the boys mother. SakuntalA. and their mutual
recognition reconciliation form the satisfactory
ending of the play. The suggestion OF the myth
cal atmosphere of ancient India affords charming
background for the action The musical setting
has been composed for the occasion by Louis
Adolphe Coerne. associate professor or music. ana
consists OF motives for the principal roles AS "a
kuntaA. Dushyanta the rajah Hushyanta inc
lover. together with themes for Sarya- canaan,
their SON. for the Dawn of Love tSakunlalal anu
for the Sprinstime OF Love CDushyantal These re-
and intertWine in such way As to represent
the passing emotions Of the characters and the
general movement OF the drama. The music VI II
usually precee the scenes, but occasionally il Will
accompany the spoken words For the sake OF
contrast there some gayer movements such IS
the settings for the nature lyrics. but most OF II
| is Enthusiastically Pc thetic.
J was I'm a primitive state, and when this play was
originally given probably curtain at the back
OF the stage divided IN the middle for tho entrance
| OF the actors. all the scenery In use There
may have been a few mechanical devices, but they
were inferior TO those which the Greeks employed
| In this sense the presentation at Smith College
will be revival. on the contrary. the usual
modern aids the imagination viii be used. The
costumes will represent the customary IIindOO dress
that period. 'Sakunta&' has never been present
| ed any American stage. and European pToduc-
tons OF II have been Like the Smith senior
dramatics Of former years. Sakuntaa IS under the
direction OF Miss Ludella L. Peck. OF the eocution
| department, and Alfred Young. 81 New-NOrk, and
every effort is being made TO have the performance
on June II and u worthy OF the poetic feeling and
dramatic possibilities which 'Sakuntala' affords.