THE GREEK PALY.

THE preparations for the performances of the OEdipus Tyrannus in Sanders Theatre, next spring, are being actively pushed forward, with every prospect of success. Professor White, as is well known, has undertaken the arduous task of general direction. The charge of the detail has been carefully allotted to other gentlemen, who will make a special study of the departments intrusted to them. Thus, Professor Paine will write the music; he has indeed already written the score for the first and second choruses. Professors Goodwin and Norton will attend to the costumes; Professor J. D. Allen to the dancing; Mr. John Wheeler is studying up the subject of stage action; Mr. Riddle undertakes the training of the actors, and another gentleman will prepare the libretto.

Mr. Dyer has charge of the pronunciation, to which especial attention is to be given; no one is better fitted than he to have charge of this important point. In accordance with his own practice, a will be pronounced as in eight; ???, as in the Spanish word deuda (both vowels sounded, but coalesced); v, as French u; ??? as ds (soft).

The gentlemen who have undertaken the actors' parts met at Professor White's house, yesterday evening, for a preliminary reading, in order to get the pronunciation in good form, before beginning to commit their parts. Hereafter they are expected to learn a definite number of lines each day, until they know their parts.

The rehearsals will begin as soon as possible; indeed, the partial rehearsals of Scenes 1 and 2 will begin immediately, as Mr. Riddle, to whom falls the brunt of this part of the play, already knows his lines perfectly.

The question of who is to be the corypheus is, unfortunately, still undecided, as Mr. Osgood, who is by all means the best person for the position, cannot yet give a decided answer, owing to the press of his engagements. It is to be hoped that he will find it possible to accept this important role.

Yesterday afternoon, Professor Paine met those who wish to sing in the chorus, and rehearsed the first chorus with them. The definitive composition of the chorus cannot be determined for some time. It is hoped that the Glee Club will be willing to devote to the rehearsal of the choruses the time which will be necessary for success. If so, the fifteen will probably be chosen from the members of the Club; there is need of first tenors, however.

It has been decided to have an orchestral accompaniment, introducing string-pieces at least. This is, of course, a departure from the ancient usage; for the flute and the cythara were the only instruments used by the Greeks.

The chorus, while singing, will execute a simple, but rhythmical dance movement, with more or less pantomime; but care will be taken to avoid any thing ridiculous in it.

The back scene will be the conventional Greek palace, with three doors. The seats will be taken from the floor of the theatre, in order that the thymele may be placed in its proper position for the movement of the chorus around it, as it comes in from the two parodoi, on the sides.

In short, the representation will follow the antique tradition where possible; but it is not intended, in any case, to strain a point and run the risk of being ridiculous. Thus, there will be no attempt to make the theatre seem open to the sky, and no masks will be worn. It is well established that the object of the mask was to make the features of the actors seem distinct to those who sat in the furthest part of the immense theatres, and also to help the adjustment of the mouth-piece, which was necessary to give sufficient distinctness to the voice. The size of modern theatres does not call for either of these artificial appliances; hence their abandonment.

It is intended to give three or four representations, in order that all persons interested may have an opportunity of seeing the play; but some special arrangement will be made for students, as the play is primarily undertaken for them. An admission fee must be charged, of course, in order to pay the many expenses which must be incurred.

The first performance will be some time in May. It would perhaps be well to give a "benefit" performance during Class Day week, and devote the proceeds to a fund for buying casts, &c., which are much needed in the Greek Department.

The assignment of parts will probably remain as it appeared in our last issue. For reference, it is given below.

??? Mr. George Riddle.

??? Mr. L. E. Opdycke, L. S.

??? Mr. W. H. Manning, '82.

??? Mr. J H. Adams, '81.

??? Mr. C. Guild, '81.

??? Mr. O. Wister, '82.

??? Mr. G. M. Lane, '81.

??? Mr. A. W. Roberts, '81.

L.