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Mr. Granville Barker Speaks on The New TheaterNew Ideas in the Theatre, the subject of the lecture in the Students’ Building on Wednesday evening, November 10, is one upon which no man today is more able to speak than Mr. Granville Barker. Our knowledge of his carefully worked-out theory of the drama and his successful practical application of his ideas both upon the English and upon the American stage lead us all the more readily to accept his belief, that, as a means of community self-expression, the drama of today has reached a new and high ideal of poetic imagination.Mr. Barker first gave a short history of tin* English drama which showed throughout the dopendence of the drama for its success upon its relation to the people and the part it plays in interpreting the life of the people. This significance of the drama lies in the fact that it is the one art which operates most directly with human material and is most dependent for its success upon the cooperation of the audience. The Mystery Plays with which the English drama originated were given by the people ana for the people and touched their lives in that serious religious interest which was so vital to them. The Elizabethan drama was great because it w’as an expression of the customs and habits and life of the times. Then came the period of the Commonwealth, a time when the popular interest turned from the broad social culture to political affairs and the stage suffered accordingly. Nor did the Restoration under Charles II bring back the real theatre. Instead, it was a foreign thing that was introduced for the amusement of the court. In the eighteenth century in spite of the immense contribution in great actors, the right dramatic material was lacking. In spite of the wonderful revival of the imaginative literature with the great names of Shelley, Tennyson and Browning, thetheatre was passed by.In its real and fundamental aspect, the drama, through all these years, was neglected and spurned. Only with the realistic school of Ibsen and Pinero w’ns the direct and true vision brought back again, and an influence brought to bear which ushered in the new movement in our modern theatre. We have before us todaymaterial which is great. Much of the old rubbish of analytical and didactic stuff is cleared away and w'e are sprouting something new'. The only question w'hich remains is Do wfe want it? Upon our answer to this question the future of the theatre depends. In the theatrical world we cannot have both the performing elephants and King Lear. If the former proves its ability to swell the box receipts and is thus accepted it cannot but crowd out the latter. There lies with the people the answer which w'ill determine for the future the cultivation of that living art of community imagination and expressionSubscription ConcertsThe committee in charge of the subscription concerts offers the following plan for the consideration of the Students’ Association. It suggests as dates for the concerts January 7th and April 14th. Artists available for these dates whose prices do not exceed $1,000 are:Pianists: Percy Grainger, John Powell.Rudolph Gans.Singers: Alice Nielson, Julia Culp.Violinist: Kreisler.’Cellist: Casals.Ensembles: Kneisel Quartet, (Flomza-ley Quartet). Longy Club, Barriere’s Little Symphony, Whiting’s Mixed Quartet.A general vote will be taken at the open Qui Vive Meeting on Tuesday to find out which of the above artists are most popular. Opportunity for pledging subscriptions will be given at the meeting.All members of the college may attend the concerts. Subscriptions are purely voluntary. But do not overlook the fact that the more you subscribe, the better the artists that can be secured.Futher information may be obtained from Julia Bryant, student member, 207 Lathrop, or from Professor Gow. Chairman.The Exhibition in Taylor HallAn exhibition of the work of the members of the ElverhoJ Colony at Milton, and of miniatures by J. W. Rehling Ivistgaard.
Newspaper Details
Poughkeepsie Miscellany News
Poughkeepsie, New York, US
Fri, Nov 19, 1915
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GB 20 Dec 2018
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