Evening star., 1948-08-22
Green Inspired to Compose
Pageant for Sesquicentennial
by Elsne Do Soyn

The approaching sesquieentennial
Of this city in 1850 will undoubtedly
lend impetus to more than one
creative mind to provide the Nation
with music and paseantry worthy
of the occasion, The idea for 4 spec
taele built around the beloved figure
of George Washington already is
known to terminate In the mind Of
Paul Green, Pulitzer prize winner
and famous author of The Lost
Colony" staged on Roanoke Island,
N. c.. and Of THE Common Glory"
in Williamsburg, Va.
Originator Of American historical
plays with music and dance, which
he calls symphonic drama" Mr..
Green tells of many trips made to
Washington and OF evenings spent
In Rock Greek Park listening,
imagining and planning" 1t is not
difficult to assume that while there,
he does not confne himself to ab-
stract thinking alone but explores
the park thoroughly, weighing In
his mind the pros and cons OF .
suitable site for an ideal outdoor
theater. He does not say whether
he had ever considered anything
outside Of Rock Greek Park. The
Water Gate area may have been
discarded just because, rs 1t hap
pens, the two well-known amphithe-
aters, on Roanoke Island and In
Williamsburg, where his plays are
staged, have water for a background
Mr.. Green is a North Carolinian
born on a, farm in 1894, whose Eng
lish and Highland Scotch ancestors
migrated to America at the begin
ming Of the 18th century. His talent
for writing manifested itself early
1t did not mature, however, until
after his return from Europe, where
he served with the American Ex-
peditionary Forces in World War
While a student at the University
of North Carolina, prior to his
enlistment, he won 4 prize for a
one-act play which was produced
This showing Of his own play was
the first stage performance he had
ever witnessed. Awarded the Pulit-
zer prize for Tn Abraham's Bosom, u
Mr.. Green next won the Guggen-
helm Fellowship and went to Ger
many and England for years
study Of the theater.
People Should Have Outlet.
The idea for symphonic drama
was born OF the conviction that this
country needs something more than
the superficiality of Broadway en-
terprise. 1t is the authors belief
that American people should have
an outlet for emotion and imagina-
tion. The grandiose revivals of
Greek drama by Max Reinhardt.
famous German stage director, and
his magnificent production Of the
Miracle in New York shortly after
World War I, may have contributed
something to Mr.. Green's aspira-
tions, as had the historical signifi-
canoe OF Roanoke Island in his ma
tive State, where Sir Walter Ra-
ielSH laIlQeQ IN 1857.
Judging by the way the noted
playwright handled and developed
available data Of his two historical
plays, his undertaking of the por-
trayal of George Washingtons time
promises success. In past expert
ence. he was fortunate to have had
the cooperation of educational in
stitutions, of people and of the Gov
ernment. Talent and goodwill
made the staging we'll organized
artistic and. dignified. The Leeisla-
ture OF North Carolina accorded
The Lost Colony" more than one
subsidy and recognized it as a State
institution, while THE Common
Glory" is sponsored jointly by the
jamestown Corp. and the Virginia
Conservation Commission.
The Lost Colony" had its pre-
miere in 1887, given in commemora-
ton of the 350th anniversary of Sir
Walters founding the first English
settlement In America and the birth
OF Virginia Dare, first English child
born on American soil. This pro-
duction. which survived a four-vear
suspension during the war and raw
ages OF fire last year, has enioyed
ever increasing patronage. Some
$4,000 visitors have viewed the plsy
in the last two years. The acting
is distinguished by smoothness. the
music Is excellently sung and per-
formed and the changes of scenery
are swift and efficient.
Music Is Authentic.
During changes. continuity Is es-
tablished sometimes by the nara
tor, seated in a rustic side booth.
or by action on a smaller stage,
erected near the inclosure occupied
by the choir. With the exception of
the overture and Of the Virginia
Dare Dance" composed by Lamar
Struggled. another Pulitzer prize
winner, the musical score has been
compiled from English sacred, sec
ular and folk songs of the 18th
century. Transcriptions for an
eight-part chorus, sung by Is mem
bers OF the Westminster Choir, and
incidental music were made by Mr..
Stringfleld; 'Adeline Mccall Of the
University of North Carolina, and
James M. Hart, Brooklyn organ
ist, still presiding at the console of
an electric organ. Also authentic
are the Indian tunes used through
out the score. Dance Music Is espe-
cially effective.