HARROW THEATER PLAYS NEXT SUMMER AT DEERFIELD.
One Deals With Life of Dante--More Performances than Last Year.
Plans are maturing for the forthcoming season at the Harrow theater in Deerfield.
It is too early as yet to make definite announcements, but the management and
players are already busy on the summer's work. The performances will be perhaps
more in number than last summer, when a total of seven was reached.
The tentative program includes a revival of "Jeanne d'Arc" for one
or two nights, and the production of a new verse drama, similar to "Jeanne
d'Arc" in style and character, introducing the person of Dante. The episode
of this play is more imaginary than real, although it presents an aspect of
Dante's character and career which is carefully based on history. It presents
a view of the poet in his later years, and gives some idea of the historical
setting, political and religious, which was an intimate part of his work. The
play has a considerable romantic element built around a rustic love story, in
which the poet figures in the part of reconciler. The play is by Mr. Hutchins
and is entitled "The Exile."
Another play under preparation is a one-act Celtic play by Douglas Hyde, a
very imaginative and charming mystic piece dealing with Irish peasant life.
This play, which is in prose, is entitled "The Marriage." An adaptation
from Stevenson is also under consideration.
New seating arrangements are being planned for, with a view to affording a
better view of the stage to a greater number. The company is to be augmented
by several new names, and it is hoped that the season may mark a distinct advance.
A similar venture in an English village has recently attracted wide notice in
England and in this country. If we may judge from outside interest in the Deerfield
project, it is safe to say that the present season will attract many visitors. |