The Common Glory

The Common Glory was an outdoor symphonic drama presented in Williamsburg, Virginia, beginning in 1947. It closed in 1976 after having been presented every year except 1964 and 1974.[1] The drama covered a span from the Jamestown colony's early days to 1782.[2]

Beginning

Paul Green, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright, created the play for the Jamestown Corporation.[3] Green had experience with historical dramas, having written The Lost Colony a decade earlier.[4] On April 26, 1947, the corporation adopted The Common Glory as the title of the production and set July 17, 1947, as its premiere date. That title came from a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson, who was a central figure in the play.[3]

Theater critic Brooks Atkinson described The Common Glory as "a Virginia enterprise, designed to remind Virginians of their share in the establishment of freedom in the New World ..."[5]

Characters

In addition to historical characters like Jefferson, the play introduced fictional characters who were factors in the story's development. Charles S. Watson, in his book The History of Southern Drama, commented that the drama "recognizes the indispensable contribution of common people to the American Revolution."[4]:114 Captain Hugh Taylor, whose father was an indentured servant, suggests the phrase "pursuit of happiness" to Jefferson, and Cephus, who had been a chicken thief, "reforms and takes up arms bravely".[4]:114

Personnel

Aletha Hunt was the director for the drama's inaugural season.[6] More than 125 participants were involved on stage in the drama; production staff, technicians and other backstage workers increased the total number of people involved to more than 200.[7]

Music

Green wrote the music for The Common Glory, producing the works after weeks of research that included collections of original hymns, ballads, marching songs, carols, and folk songs of both English and Scottish origin. A 40-person choir performed vocal music. A specially designed organ, provided by an anonymous donor, provided instrumental music that ranged in effects from bagpipes to flutes to drums to trumpets.[8]

Settings

Action in the drama occurred in the court of King George, in Williamsburg (including the House of Burgesses), in Philadelphia, and in Jamestown.[9]

Venue

The drama was presented in a 2,500-seat amphitheater with a 62-foot stage. The amphitheater was adjacent to Lake Matoaka,[10] near Williamsburg.[2] The facility, which was owned by the College of William & Mary and used under a long-term lease, was enhanced with $175,000 in improvements in preparation for the drama's debut.[9]

References
  1. Molineux, Will (2001). Williamsburg. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439629079. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. "'Common Glory' To Be Given On July 17th". Daily Press. Virginia, Newport News. May 25, 1947. p. 20. Retrieved May 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Drama Date Set and Name Announced". Daily Press. Virginia, Newport News. Associated Press. April 27, 1947. p. 26. Retrieved May 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Watson, Charles S. (2015). The History of Southern Drama. University Press of Kentucky. p. 113. ISBN 9780813149998. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  5. Atkinson, Brooks (July 27, 1947). "Outdoor Play Tells Glory of Old Virginia". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. The New York Times. p. 21. Retrieved May 27, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Directors of Williamsburg Pageant". Daily Press. Virginia, Newport News. July 16, 1947. p. 5. Retrieved May 27, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Common Glory Ready For Opening Tonight". Daily Press. Virginia, Newport News. July 17, 1947. p. 1. Retrieved May 27, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Special Music During Drama". Daily Press. Virginia, Newport News. July 6, 1947. p. 35. Retrieved May 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Drama Of America's Beginning Will Be Unfolded At Williamsburg, Va., July 17". The Daily Mail. Maryland, Hagerstown. Associated Press. July 17, 1947. p. 19. Retrieved May 27, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Virginia Will Hold Pageant". The Escanaba Daily Press. Michigan, Escanaba. Associated Press. May 22, 1947. p. 11. Retrieved May 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
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