The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-27
DAMON AND PYTHIAS
To Be Presented at Newberry Opera
House-A Most Charming En-
tainment by Good
Company.

Pythias will be presented in Newber
~ by practically the same cast which
rendered the great damon SO success
fully On the 10Th in Columbia. The
clay will be under the direction Of Mr..
Edward Dodge, who will also play
Damon and will be under the auSpi-
cies Of the local knights of Pythlas.
! Mr.. Dodge has successfully pre-
sented Damon and Pythias on many
occasions throughout the south for K.
of p. lodges, and has also played in
the piece with Robert Downing, Louis
James. Frederick Wa1k, and Edwin
Ferry. He was also seen here two
! seasons ago as Romeo.
!, The story Of Damon and PHthlas IS
of such ancient orr Gin that its source
cannot be definitely traced. but 1t has
been familiar to all lovers Of romance
for over 1000 years, and no other eS~
ample of history or fiction is so re-
plete with the sentiment Of true
friendship. Briefly told. the story is
as follows:
Damon, the patriot senator OF SYRIA
cuse, philosopher and a man OF
lofty ideals, attempted to prevent the
rise of the Syracusean General, Di-
'onysius, who aims to overthrow the
!. democratic form Of government and
make, himself king: Damon's elo-
ouence in the senate house failing to
stem the tide of events, and loving lib
erty better than life, he risks every
thing upon one blow, and attempted to
kill the usurper, but is seized by the
kings guard and sentenced to All
ienominious death upon the block.
Damon appeals for few hours re-
spite that his wife and child might be
brought to him before his execution,
but is refused by the tyrant and is
being led to execution, when his tried
and trusted friend, Pythias, leaving
his Calanthe to whom he is to be we'd
ded that very day, offers himself as
hostage for Damon's sure return,
takes his friends place in his dun
ceon. while Damon goes to bid his
wife farewell. Dionysius being touch
ed by such generous act, grants a
stay Of proceedings for six hours, and
Disgusting himself visits Pythlas IN
his prison, resolving to put his friend
ship to a test, telling him that the
king had dispatched 20 men to-1nter-
cept Damon on his return to Syracuse:
and offers Pythias the means OF es-
cape. But Pythias, true to his prom
Use. declines the proffered means OF
escape. Damon, ON arriving at his
home, breaks the terrible news to his
wife, Hermion. She implores him to
take advantage of his liberty and tiy
to Italy in Greece and escape the ty-
rant forever. but he will not so pro-
fame the sanctity Of friendship and
calling for his horse is about to de-
part to doom, when his slave, Lucul-
ms. informs him in order to save his
masters life. he has SLAIN his steed
and so cut off the means OF his re-
turning to Syracuse within the given
time. The unhappy man in frenzy
Of a. ny and wrath: is about to hurl
himself and the wretched struggling
slave from. precipice, when altar ne
beholds traveller upon a god steed.
Rushing upon the unsuspectlng rider:
he pulls him, from the saddle ana
mounting his horse returns to SYRIA
.cnse lust at the moment Pythias is
mounting the block. Dionyslus' ad-
miration for the friendship OF the two
men is so great that he pardons both'
and so the story has happy ending
The play was written by an irish
poet. John Banim in 1920, and re-
ceived it's first production at Covent
Garden Theatre. in London in 1871,
with Mr.. William Macready in the
role of Damon. The first production
in America was given in Boston
in 1916. Mr.. Edwin Forrest essaylns
the part of Damon, and for nearly loo
wears the play has been"a great favor
ite of both player and public.
The order of the Knights OF Pyth1as
was founded upon this legend.