Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-05-10
PLAY FOR MASONS
theatrical Man Books Lodge Drama
. tfOr Omaha.
TALE OF AN ANCIENT PERIOD
Production Deals with Life and
Scenes of Eighteenth Century,
s,s. with strict Adherence 20
,gs~p Pages of History.

Eugene p. Arnold OF the Merry Widow
company has made preliminary arrange
ments for q contract to present a Masonic
play In Omaha some time in the i9l1-i2
season It is a play written about Ma
sonry, BY a Mason. TO be played before
Masons. and with only Masons in tho cast
Mr.. Arnold has closed contracts In the
larger cities Of the west. and he ALREADY
has assurances OF a number Of important
dates in the east. The Masonic drama l.
known by the title OF AN Eighteenth
Century Lodge" and it has attracted wido
attention in Europe. The first production
Is to be given in Detroit in September
under the direction OF Mr.. Arnold.
The play was written by Joseph 2. Nor
combe, editor of The American Freemason.
published at Storm Lake la. The text
was written after long and careful search
Into all the Masonic history available for
the period In which the scenes are laid
about 1723. The first few years following
the establishment OF the grand lodge Of
England, in III. are very obscure, and It
was necessary. therefore to CLEAN closely
in a singularly barren field before attempt
was made to arrange the materials.
Nor was II Masonic history alone that
had to be consulted II was necessary 70
know what manner OF life these old MSson5
lived. what topics they discussed, their
humors and matters OF concern.
OF Dramatic Merit.
Morcombe is said to have produced a
strong work-having Conference constant
interest and dramatic unity. All that had
occurrence in lodge of that time is made
use of and handled to the best advantage.
The quaint and strongly contrasting char
acters introduced give opportunity 7oT ex-
cellent dialogue and interesting situations.
In the first scene, where the brothers
gather there is gossip, whispering of secret
conspiraeies in the political world without
the recital Of portsnts and wonders, while
ever the broad humor of the period has
showing. The second act Is occupied by
the lodge meeting proper, and here the
serious purpose Of the play has its develop
ment In the third scene. or division
From Labor to Refreshment" the CON
vivial features OF old-time Masonry have
amusing illustration. The toasts and songs
and table talk combine in easy but accu-
rate reproduction OF this once important
function of the lodge.
The play il intensely human, say III
critics. Tho author has made of his char
acters living men, not mere figures used
to convey q desired lesson. Sir Roger
devii-may care spirit. his quips and rail
lery; the slow-Enoving humor of Thick
pennie; Chepeman's reiterated complaints
fas an olde Mason" az the badness of thu
ale and the falling away of the craft
ouickly's signs and wonders. and all thu
oddities and ssncer1tes OF this company a
the Thatched House Tavern-these serv'
10 show what manner Of men were oui
Masotio ancestors.
The piece has been tried out and giveI
several presentations by THE Craftsmen
of the University of Michigan.
Worldwide interest has been arou= ID Il
the play and several English Masonic pub
locations have expressed desire that tn
drama be produced in the Britain isles