Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-25
In The Land Q f Make Believe
By WALTER D. HTcK MAN

Worthy stage endeavor deserves hearty
support
That Is fhe reason that am devoting
nearly all of the space of this depart
ment today to the forthcoming produc-
ton of "Eyeryman" by the Little Theater
Society at the Masonic Temple next
week.
I am relying upon data as prepared by
a representative of the Little Theater
Society concerning "Eyeryman."
True to its policy of Observing com
munally the various seasons and cele-
bratlons Of the year within its limits
is the Forthcoming production of Every
man" by the Little Theater Society on
Friday evening and Saturday afternoon
Of next week at the Masonic Temple.
The play is So well known through its
scholastic standing as well as the pro-
duction of Ben Greet In this country that
an introduction seems hardly necessary.
Simply stated-it is a characterization Of
the fact that every creature in this
Death, and to make an accounting of
their lives to a Higher Power.
In this play Death, through the com
mand Of God (Adonai) goes to Everyman
telling him that his day is come and
| that he must prepare his account imme-
diately
! Everyman, true to form, pleads for
respite that he may make his book Of
accounting balance, but there is no res
| pite. He is sarcastically told by Death,
though, that If he can achieve their con
sent he is at liberty to take any Of his
friends with him to comfort him on the
way,
SO "Everyman" first goes to his fell
lowship Friendship, begging his com
pany-and then to his cousin and kin
dred and finally to his Goods (Riches,)
that he loved best, only to be turned
down by each-in turn-each refusal
more definite than the preceding.
In despair ho goes finally to his Good
Deeds-but she is so weak that she can
not move through his neglect Of her.
She offers help though IN the person
Of Knowledge-who gives "Eyeryman'
this counsel-that he go to Confession.
This he does. and after making his
penance and receiving the Sacrament and
Extreme Unction-he with his friends,
Beauty. Strength, Discretion. Five Wits,
Good Deeds and Knowledge. starts on
the inevitable journey to the tomb. At
the brink of the grave, however, they
all desert him except his Good Deeds,
who goes with him to the grave. The
play closes with the promise to EVERY
man" that in true penance and spiritual
knowledge he shall find redemption and
peace.
Although the play has essentially a
scholastic appeal there is 10 denying its
essential and profoundly moving human
! appeal Man Is shown in his tempta-
/ tl0n, In his seIhshness In his lusts--and
/ then IN the desertioa OF all that he
| holds dear and real (the material things)
but the achievement Of a possession
more real-that Of spiritual calm and
/ charity.
/ In this production George Somnes has
! departed from the traditional presenta-
ton in which the stage was decorated
to represent either n portion Of the nave
/ Of q church or part Of a cloister. He
/ has endeavored rather to realize the
spirit Of the play and to make the in
I spiration of the lines take form in the
background AS the whole tendency of
I the play Is transcendant, tina. feeling has
been sought after In the stage setting
and achieved by a series Of narrow col
umns typifylng the aspiring struggle Of
mans better nature 10 the higher reaches.
The same idea has been carried out In
tho lighting and I'm the coloring Of the
costumes-most Of the designs and ideas
having been taken from the paintings
Of the Flemish and Dutch masters, es-
pecialIy those Of AIbrecht Durer
The varying moods Of the play will be