Drama showcase (From Ledbury Reporter)

Drama showcase

6:10pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News

 THE chairman of the John Masefield Society, Peter Carter, will discuss and play a new recording of a religious drama that raised eyebrows back in 1928, tomorrow.

George Bell, the Dean of Canterbury, commissioned John Masefield to write, The Coming of Christ for the Canterbury Festival.

Mr Carter said: “Nothing like it had been allowed in an English cathedral since mediaeval times. Bell and Masefield had to battle with the church and with the Lord Chamberlain’s office to stage the drama which then played to sell-out audiences. It is a remarkable story.

“The musical settings were composed by Gustav Holst. A new recording of The Coming of Christ by the City of London Choir, The Holst Orchestra and The Chamber Choir of St Paul’s Girls’ School, conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton with Robert Hardy reciting, was released late last year.”

The talk and presentation will take place in the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, Ledbury – doors open at 7pm.

Members of the John Masefield Society will get in free. Non members will each be charged £3.

Refreshments will be available.