El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-08-09
Pl6ElHTRF IS
REVIED IN
AMERICA
Open Air Theaters, in Which
Historical Drama Is Given,
Gain Favor.
MOVEMENT STARTS
IN ENGLISH TOWNS

Wv though pageantry and outdoor
drama as a means of public en-
tertainment and instruction are inno-
vations so far as America is concerned,
| a new calling, that of originating ideas
fol. pageants and outdoor plays, is at
tracing the attention of artists, must
clans and dramatists all over the cOun-
try. Their aim is not only to present
entertaining high class drama, but to
portray in realistic form the great his
torical events that have had to do with
the Development and growth of this ma
ton. Open air theaters at Berkeley,
San Diego, Bohemian Club Grove. Point
Iona and Bakersfield in California,
and at Milwaukee, have proved so sue
cessful that plans for similar theaters
for Chicago, New York and a number
of other cities are being rapidly de-
veloped-
The revival of pageantry in England
and America within the last ten years
has come at a time when both coun-
tries were ready to glorify their past
after years of forgetfulness, and the
agitation for open air theaters comes
of the people As men are wont to
idealize the characters and conditions
of former times the material for page
ants is naturally taken from olden days
of glamour. Such an appeal to the i'm
agination has always found favor with
those who sought to entertain and
please the people
First Revival in England.
The first revivals were the anniver-
cary pageantS of SherbOrne, Oxford,
York and Warwick in England and
they attracted international attention.
One of the first pageants in the United
States was held in Marietta, Ohio in
1888 The aim was to teach history
by the objective method Scenes from
the early settlement were given. IN
Guiding the arrival of immigrants, or
ganiZatiOn of civil government, be-
ginning of village struggles with the
red men and the treaty of peace. At
tics and trunks were ransacked and
many of the participants were able to
secure the identical clothes worn 1OO
years ago by ancestors of the actors
Thirteen nations were represented IN
a Fourth of July celebration In Spring
field Mass The last Columbus day
pageant in Boston developed as much
interest in the foreign quarters OF the
city as among the native citlzens- Inc
movement for a sane celebration OF In
dependence day has given strong i'm
petus to pageantry and outdoor plays
as was shown this year by many large
D. c., to celebrate safe and sane
Fourth this year included an original
play, Uncle Sans Birthday Party,
long procession Of school ehlldren IN
place of the usual fireworks celebra-
ton and delighted thousands of spec
tators who assembled on the Wash
ington monument grounds
Subject Usually Local.
The subject for the chronicle play in
the pageant is usually local but some
times there is a special play or mask
The Canterbury Pilgrims at GlOuces-
ter Mass, in 1909, in which 2OO0 actors
and choral singers took part before
q, 900 spectators, achived hlgh artlS-
tic success and illustrated the posi-
bilities of outdoor drama. The Coburn
PLAYERS had the leading parts but the
cast included hundreds OF volunteers
from the town and surrounding coun-
try. Elaborate fireworks and music,
instrumental and organ, were used
to deepen the impression and the stage
effects were in the hands of artists
In Pittsburg school children recent
ly depicted the history of that city
from indian time to the present DAY
in a most effective manner me Bos-
ton Normal school presented the HIS
tory of Education at their S5th ami
versary. Students and teachers of the
Central High school IN Springfield,
Mass, lately gave a presentation
showing the progress OF our country
from early colonial days to independ-
ence. As a business proposition, Wnere
local color is used. such presentations
as Boston and Springfield students and
teachers gave are highly suceessIul IN
securing funds for the schools.
terminates Home Coming Weeks
The spirit of pageantry has germi-
mated the home coming weeks IN small
towns throughout the CO rtn uhy-ee
towns throughout the country Keen
delight is taken in reenactlng some OF
the crucial incidents in the develop
ment of the village. The first wedding,
first church service. first school or
party are typical subjects that arouse
enthusiasm and the crude. unfinished
festivals go to the hearts of the peo-
pie. Many incidents related by anti
quarians of the village are enacted
with lively interest
Philadelphia Interested.
The pageants of Cornish, Norwich,