Everyman at St Stephen’s

unattributed newspaper, 1951

This has to be my favourite news cutting of all of them. Favourite because it comes attached to a hand written note by Irene Mawer, expressing how she feels about the performance.

The review is of a play called Everyman, which was held inside St Stephen’s Church, Cheltenham.

I will copy some of the newspaper article, and then I will copy in full the note written by Miss Mawer.

“To see the mediaeval morality play of The Summoning of Everyman performed in a church setting is much more than a dramatic rarity; it becomes a deep spiritual experience.

A first reaction is one of gratitude to Miss Irene Mawer and her cast, and to the Rev A J M Saint, for the imagination and enterprise which made this possible…”

“Played in a darkened church chancel with spotlights picking out the silver altar cross and the rich, mediaeval costumes, Everyman assumes a spiritual significance akin to that which it must have had for 15th century audiences – an almost mystic quality.”

“There were moments which could not be paralleled in a secular setting: the revelation of Death starkly silhouetted high up against the great east window; the prostration of Everyman before the altar to be scourged in penance; the distant plainchant preceding his descent to the grave, a saintlike figure shrouded in white. Pulpit, choir stall, chancel steps and window ledge were all stations for the actors, who moved with rhythmic dignity about the chancel.”

Comments by the reviewer state that the production was ‘brilliantly conceived’, and that some of the cast ‘came near perfection’ and were ‘faultless’

Miss Mawer then wrote a note to an unknown recipient: “I thought you might like to know that we seem to have achieved something if only to stir the local press to such a notice. It is being an incredible experience – the Church packed with people at every performance. They don’t even appear to breathe while it is going on – and arrive three quarters of an hour before we start and sit or kneel in utter silence. I am shattered, and very humble, but glad. Irene”

As ever, Irene Mawer deflects the glory away from herself, never taking personal credit for her efforts, ensuring the inclusivity of ‘we’, that is, the whole group.

This was in 1951, Miss Mawer was 58 and the future closure of the Ginner-Mawer School was only three years away. I am so glad that she had this remarkable, triumphant experience – it must surely have been a high point of her life.

*****

Kickstarter – please have a look. 

I will be using it to launch my Irene Mawer biography in 2025. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/theater

Many people are not familiar with Kickstarter, but it is perfectly legit and not a scam!

  I hope you enjoy browsing around it.