Music Hall, Edinburgh

The Scotsman, Thursday 28 April 1927, advertised ‘The Indian Dramatic Society presents an Indian Drama, Sacrifice (by Tagore) (In English with Indian Music)’ at the Music Hall, George Street, the next day (Friday) and on Saturday. ‘As Indian-drama, “Sacrifice,” by Rabindranath Tagore, was presented last night in the Music Hall by members of the Indian Dramatic Society. The play, the action of which takes place in the 17th century, tells of the abolition of blood sacrifice to the goddess Kali, the impulse arising from a benevolent king’s realisation of the cruelty involved, and being opposed by the fanatical chief priest. The chief priest’s favourite young disciple, to save the impending assassination of the king, offers himself as a sacrifice, and thus the fanatical armour of the chief priest is penetrated, and the image of the goddess is overthrown. The story was unfolded in a series of. scenes, which were notable for their richness of colour and dressing ... The effect of the dramatisation was heightened by incidental and other music, Indian in character ... There was a large audience, who showed their cordial appreciation of the. performance’ (The Scotsman, 30 April 1927). ‘An artistic event of unusual interest drew many to the Music Hall, Edinburgh, on Friday and Saturday of last week, when, for the first time in Britain, Rabindranath Tagore’s religious drama, “Sacrifice,” was played under the auspices of the newly-formed Indian Dramatic Club, which is to be heartily congratulated on the high standard of acting and production achieved. Onlookers were transported to the East by the gorgeous colouring - especially in the Court scene, with its throne of gold and wealth of Eastern dresses bedecked with jewels; and the designer of costumes and setting showed them to full advantage by the simplicity of her curtained stage, relieved only in the Temple scenes by the golden yellow Hindu temple sheltering the black and gold image of the goddess Kali, around whose cruel rites the story gathers ... The opening musical numbers chosen by Mrs M. N. O. Baily all consisted pieces which gave an Indian impression, and it was finely rendered by Mrs Hunter-Cowan (violin), Miss W. Simpson (piano), Mr Kenyon Letts (baritone), Mr Bernard Beers (clarinet), and Mr R. Howells (drums). One of the solos, set by Mrs Baily for clarinet, with piano accompaniment, was by the poet Tagore himself, and had much charm. The play itself had incidental music specially composed by Mr R. O. Pagan, Doncaster; a march from the King’s entrances and other short pieces, all with a hint of the East in their effects' (St Andrews Citizen, Saturday 7 May 1927).