The Wilmington morning star., 1946-04-30

| RED SPRINGS, April 30--The
beautiful symphonic drama, Flora
Macdonald in Scotland to be
presented in the outdoor theatre
of the college, will climax the his
toric double celebrations at Flora
Macdonald college On the 7th of
May, at 7:30 in the evening. Clara
Johnson Marley, who wrote, and
will direct the pageant, received
the Roland Holt award from the
University of North Carolina for
this production, and was twice the
winner of the Sidney Lanier cup
for play writing-once for the
drama which will be presented at
Flora Macdonald, and once for
''The Old Dram Tree, her first
play of the Crusoe Island folk. This
drama received flattering recogni-
ton on Broadway, from Barrett
Clark, New York dramatic critic.
The following quotation is from
the late beloved ''Proff'', DR..
Frederick H. Koch of Chapel Hill.
Clara Johnson Marley's play pre-
sents the romantic episode of the
Scottish heroine, Flora Macdonald,
in contriving the escape of Bonnie
Prince Charlie" from the pursuing
British army. You will recall that
Prince Charles escaped from his
exile in France to the highlands
of Scotland. The Clans rallied to
his cause, but were utterly defeat
ed at Culloden. With few of his
faithful followers, the Prince again
escaped, and took refuge in a cave
by the sea on a small island near
Rossnish. This is the scene of our
drama"
In the charming setting of the
beautiful woodland theatre on the
campus, with carefully arranged
lighting effects, the old world
drama opens in splendor and
gaiety, in the ball room of the
Countess Eglinton in Edinburgh,
centers around the daring rescue
of Prince Charles Edward Stuart
by the young Scottish maiden,
Flora Macdonald, after his defeat
at Culloden, and features the
loyalty of the Scottish Clansmen,
as they rally to the aid Of the
valiant lassie.
The first scene opens with very
beautiful dance, 1.-THE Masked
BALI, an old Scottish ball room
dance, in which fans will mask
the faces of the dancers. The acts
will be preceded by interpretre
dances by the "Spirit of Youth
portrayed by Norma Ann Lewis.
Before the first act, she enters IN
shimmering green, symbolic OF
spring and the promise of life. Her
movements are free and happy.
She carries garlands of flowers.
The music is radiant, and she is
the embodiment of joy and life.
i In Act 2, the Spirit of Youth enters
to war-like, wild music, robed in
flaming red, symbolic of war. She
carries flaming torch, and
dances, wildly, defiantly. In the
third act, she portrays the defeat,
depression, and bondage of Scot
land, dancing in robes of gray, tc
music sad and slow. The Child
rens' Dance is gay and rhythi-
cal part of the pageant, portray
ing the old belief in wishing on
the eve of May Day. At the end
of the dance, the children call
for the Highland Fling, and bevy
of Flora Macdonald girls, in the
/ colorful kits of the highlands
appear in this spirited folk dance.
It is in this scene that the May
Queen and her Court make their
entrance, to fairy-like music -
thew are surrounded by fairies,
who dance for their Queen. These
dances are under the direction of
Miss Ethel Bateman, director OF
nhvsical education at the college.
The nageant music will be direct
ed by Dean Robert Reuter-.
The leading parts will be played
bv professionals, and others in the
cas+ will be members of the Flora
Il Macdonald student body, under
the direction of the author-director.
| All costuming will be authentic
and beautiful. A most delightful
and colorful touch will be given
by the nationally famous "Kiltie
Band Of York; Pa, which consists
of sixteen Scottish bagpipers and
drummers, in full regalia, who
come piping OUT of the woods.