The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-12-31
Christmas Pageant
Is Beautiful Affair

1t was the familiar story OF the Christ
Child. the Judean Shepherds, the Angel
Chorus and the Wise Men but it had
message of renewed impressiveness
when presented Sunday night as the
Manager King" at the Methodist church
under the able direction Of Rev. H. w.
Woods. 1t was an abbreviated form,
Rev Woods explained of his larger
pageant Of the same title and was
worked up in less than a week with
members of the Sunday School and the
Epworth League as principals in the
cast The story as it develops in the
Manger King opens with class Of
young boys who are discussing their
Christmas gifts and plans while await
ing the arrival of their teacher Mrs.
Timothy Miller. With characteristic
boyish naturalness, they change from
demonstrative little dynamoes to strict
attention on the arrival of the teacher
and listen with attention to her story
of the Star Of the East and the drama
OF the Nativity. Gradually they browse
and fall asleep and the teacher in
fluenced BY the quiet of the classroom
drops asleep herself In the distance
is heard choir singing The Birthday
of King
Then as dream there comes to the
little group the angel heralds, winged,
in white robes and bearing wreaths
They are proclaiming the child in the
manger which Is now disclosed on the
right of the stage, where Ruth Holiday
as Mary, is watching over rough
crib. The angels are followed by the
shepherds and shepherdesses who, find
ing their flocks safe for the night, 60
through a series of stately measures
which they have learned in their
homes. Then comes the Wise Men
from the East bringing gold, franklin
cense and myrrh. The magi pay their
respects to the Child King and depart
leaving their gifts at the lowly manger
Few speaking parts are used and few
are needed as the pageant tells the
familiar story more clearly than words
can do The setting is simple and the
theme is not new one but the finished
costuming of the players by Mrs Woods
and the serious yet enthusiastic manner
in which the actors take their part:
quickens the emotions of those who
watch.
Rev Woods has a complete set O.
paraphanalia and dress peculiar to the
people of the Holy Lands and this with
1tvIt III 5-vf
spot and colored lights in the balloon,
gave the whole performance color
and treatment which was very impress
sive To see the pageant presented
with so few properties, on a simple
stage and with little opportunity for re-
hearsal brings the conclusion that tht
church might well make more use o
religious drama and that ii may be bet
ter, as Edgar Guest says, ito see j;
sermon than to hear one; at least thu
impressions received through the ey,
may we'll supplement those of the ear
| At the conclusion Of the pageant, tn,
large cross suspended over the stag
was lighted, giving final touch to TIL
performance.
The Angels Ardith Kellar, Loi
Pitcher, Catherine hampton, Melb
Bergen, Susan Clark, Marjory Ogle
Helen Rasmussen, Clita Mae Brown
Betty Baker.
The Wise Men-Glen McComas, Rob
ert Fowler, Byron Pitcher.
The Sheperdesses-Irene Ikeda, Phyl
lis DeRosia, Edith Detjens, Jean Maize
Celia Ann Nolop, Ethel Gass, LADEN
Krebs, Lucille Ikeda.
The hepherds-Kenneth Brown
John Ikeda, Robert Bigelow, Ernes
Staley.
Sunday School Teacher, Mr..
Timothy Miller; John Friend, Geral
Hord. Russell Sugden, Calvin Downing
Russell Peterson.
Mary--Ruth Holiday.
Mrs. Gleason, Pianist.
Helen Rasmussen gave the annuncia
ton to the shepherds. Kenneth Brown
Feudal, chief shepherd, gave the shep
herds alteration at the manger. Byro
! Pitcher as Balthazer, the EGyption, CAV
! the alteration of the Wise Men.
The adult choir sang--"The Birthda
OF a King" by Neidlinger and Lon,
Long Ago. by Harrington.
Mrs. James Krall and Mrs. Gleaso
: Pitcher sang Whispering Hope Hav
thorne.
The pageant closed with the entil
cast and the audience singing Joy
! the World"