I have been in correspondence with Louis N Parker, whose genius and enthusiasm have produced such splendid results in the historical pageants held in Sherborne in 1905 and at Warwick last year.
It had occurred to me that our ancient town and port is so rich in historic associations of the first order as to be pre-eminently the place for a pageant; and I have no doubt that should the inhabitants of Dover and the neighbourhood, a spectacle might be produced which would prove to be of national interest, and would attract thousands of visitors to our town. Some will ask-“What is a pageant?”
I will let Mr Parker answer the question.
In a paper recently read before the Society of Arts he said. “Let me here say what a pageant is not. It is not a circus. It is not a procession. It is not in any sense a display of professionalism. Nor is it a pastoral play. What is it, then? It is the representation of the history of a town in dramatic form, from the earliest period to some later point, forming a fitting climax.
This is set forth in verse and prose of the most direct sort, and is embellished with choruses, songs, dances, marches, and every legitimate spectacular adjunct. It is acted in some beautiful and historic spot, which is left without any artificial embellishment whatever. It is acted by the citizens of the town themselves, their wives, their children, and their friends… It is acted in the spirit of simplicity and reverence, and the audience must bring the same spirit in watching its progress. It is not a stage play; it is a lofty and dignified panorama of the town’s history. And it is more – It is an act of local patriotism.
The pageant is so splendid a thing that it requires a whole year in preparation; and as everything – dresses, suits of amour, weapons, each have to be made in the town, it gives much work for willing and enthusiastic hands to do.
Three hundred ladies are busily engaged in Bury St.Edmunds making the dresses for the pageant to be held there next summer; and indeed one of the happiest features of this undertakings the way in which all classes of the society are brought together in this work of preparation.
It is, moreover, a good thing for the town financially. The festival lasts for a week. In Warwick all the hotels and lodgings were filled to overflowing, and in order to get a bed in the town or neighbourhood, it was necessary to apply a month before the festival.
The final results were as follows: at Sherbourne, in 1905 a balance of £2000 remained for the aid of local institutes, after all expenses had been paid; and at Warwick last year a sum of £5000.
What shall we say that Dover might not accomplish, with her magnificent past, and her splendid position, as the front door of England? At Warwick the Americans came in crowds. Is it not possible that they might come in thousands to a Dover pageant, and land from the liners at our very doors; while the scenes associated with the long past of the Cinque Ports would bring all Kent and Sussex into our town.
I had a visit from Mr Parker recently, and he is enthusiastic as to the possibilities of a Dover pageant; but he would not accept the conduct of so grave an undertaking unless all classes in the town are filled with the keen desire to make it a splendid thing.
With the desire of awakening this enthusiasm I have ventured to address you at such length; and I would propose that His Worship the Mayor should be invited to call a public meeting of the citizens of Dover in February next; that representatives of the Cinque Ports and Canterbury be kindly give us an address on the subject and explain all details, so that we may consider the possibility of holding a Dover Pageant in the summer of 1908.
Yours faithfully
Henry Bartram
St Mary’s Vicarage,
Dover, January 1907
