The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-08
Servant in the House-Gennett.

Servant in the House-Gennett.
Those who wish to understand in
advance the symbolic meaning of
THE Servant in the House," which
will be the Thanksgiving offering at
the Gennett theater. will be interested
in the following explanation writer
by it's author:
"The big symbolic meaning of the
play which I wish to convey" says
Charles Ram Kennedy, lis, Christ as
the touchstone of life and the solution
of all human difficulties, religious, so
cial and personal; not merely by the
inspiration of sentimental fancies
about him, but by the impelIing to
deeds that carry out His will. l have
tried to bring out the symbolism of
Manson's personality more emphati-
cally than any other in the play. The
jam episode at the beginning of the
first act is a theatrical trick utilized
for the conveyance of psychological
subtlety. 1t is used to catch the at
tention of the audience. and create
an atmosphere of mysticism In the
scene when Mary first suspects Man
sons identity, will be found one of the
symbols used to show that Manson is
indeed the son of man.. "Who are
your" she asks. with the dawn of
knowledge shining from her face 81
am" he begins, when the sound of a
bell from the church checks his speech.
1t is the sanctus bell that echoes the
chimes in the hand of the acolyto as
the host is elevated. Manson's eyes
turn to the alter beyond the door.
Then with deepened humility he ans
wers her question Il am the servant
in this house,
An equally significant symbol lies in
the fact that Mary is the only one who
recognizes the bishop of Benares in
Manson the Butler. Hers is the clear
vision of innocent childhood. Remem-
Der the verse from the New Tesla
ment: Except ye become as little chill
dren We cannot enter into the King
dom of Heaven The symbol of the
servant becoming master is quite
obvious, as is Manson's answer to the
Bishop of Lancashire southburst:
If l could have my way with you,
would have you publicly whipped.
would visit you with the utmost rigour
of the law I would nail you up, air,
for an example,
I have encountered similar hostility
before, my lord says Manson signi-
ficantly replies. from gentlemen very
like your lordship'
The Bishop Of Lancashire of course
is Manson. The symbolism of his per-
sonality is shown by his use of every
power for his own end. and the cpl
sode Of the five pound note that re-
calls the buying and selling of Christ.
Also he is blind and deaf-has eyes to
see, but sees not; ears to hear, but
hears not
The symbolism of the drain that
led to the cess-poll under the church
is frequently misunderstood 1t is not
an attack upon the foundations of re-
ligion or established churches. 1t
means that religion is fettered by the
Wondering collins and decayed bones
of the past; that we are not worship
ing a dead Christ who once was, but
living Christ, externally present Old
ideas, old prejudices, dead statements,
greater veneration for the forms of
religion than for the practical appli-
cation of Christ's teachings must be
removed by the Drain Man 1t drives
home the fact that many who loudly
profess their faith in Christ are the
worst of atheists, and only realize that
truth when they are brought face to
face with a spiritual crisis"
Although this is the first appear
ance of the play in this city it's re-
putation has preceded it. Critics in
both the East and West have hailed
it as a wonderful work of art and
fascinating stage story. One of the
Chicago papers called it the most
beautiful play of all ages, and lead
ing monthly magazine declared it to