Theatre Production

DRAKE, the sailor, the pirate, the lover, the patriot, the knight, the idol of England and the champion of her freedom! That is the Drake we look upon and hear in Louis N. Parker's play.

"Who in the name of Heaven is Drake?" asked Queen Elizabeth. And before long the whole world had answered her question. He was a common marauding sailor, with a lust for fighting and justice, a man of indomitable will, a man with the heart of a child and the power of a king.

PRESS REVIEW

(Daily Mail [London, UK] - 3rd July, 1912)
"DRAKE"
SIR HERBERT TREE'S NAVY DRAMA

One of the most interesting moments in the life of a play is the moment when it "takes the water," so to speak. "Drake," the British Navy drama with which Sir Herbert Tree will reopen His Majesty's Theatre after the holidays, reached this stage yesterday.

In Mr. Louis N. Parker's brain the idea of it simmered. In Mr. Parker's study it came to birth on paper. But a play only begins to be really a play when it goes into rehearsal. Yesterday on the stage of His Majesty's the company gathered for the first time, and with their parts in their hands went through the piece. It was like the launch of a ship. Everyone knows that a great deal remains to be done to a vessel after the ceremony of launching. But, once in the water, it has found its proper element. So, once on the stage, a play begins to take shape. Then for the, first time one can see what it will look like to its audiences.

"Drake" promises to be a mighty galleon. It tells a stirring tale of the spacious days when England, hard pressed, was saved by her sailors and her ships. Into nine vivid scenes, quick moving and gay of colour. Mr. Parker has aimed at compressing the spirit of the Elizabethan age. He shows the brewing of the quarrel between Spain and England. He spices his story with adventure, with bold privateering, with the magic of the Spanish Main.

THE GAME OF BOWLS

Drake, the dashing seaman, bears down the prudence of the Queen's counsellors. The envoys of King Philip are flouted. War is declared. Then we have the famous game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe, from which Drake is called away. "And here," Sir Herbert Tree said, "comes in a striking passage. The stage darkens. One by one the beacons flare out in the night. Out of the void comes a voice, 'Who goes there.' 'A friend,' is the reply, and for password 'England is watching'. A fine effect, I think."

The last scenes show the famous fight of "the one and the fiftty-three," the fight made by the Revenge and celebrated so stirringly by Tennyson, and then the thanksgiving in St. Paul's. The play ends with a rousing speech from Drake, exhorting England to "hold fast the heritage we leave you," and teach its value to their children through the centuries.

"Already," Sir Herbert Tree declared, "I have had from naval people expressions of pleasure at the prospect of such a play. I believe this is just the time for it. Nothing will give me greater satisfaction than to look after its production."

Unfortunately Sir Herbert will not appear in it himself. The reason for this he will explain in a little speech after the closing performance of his present season next Saturday. All he would say yesterday was that he "Admires Mr. Parker's work so much he must see it from the front every night."

Drake will be played by Mr. Lyn Harding; Queen Elizabeth by Miss Phyllis Neilson-Terry.

Next to his country, Drake loved Elizabeth Sydenham. For her sake and for her "thank you kindly," he singed the Spanish King's beard, captured his treasure, and destroyed for ever his great Invincible Armada that was to put a yoke on England.

Drake's career was traced from that chamber at Hampton Court where he first met and spoke to his Queen, threatening revenge against the Spaniards in spite of the protestations of the Queen's advisers.

He crossed the Isthmus of Darien, fell upon the Spaniards, and returned to hear the shouts of welcome on the quay at Plymouth; to learn that his love for Elizabeth Sydenham had not been in vain, and to marry her in secret. Once more Drake started on his voyage of revenge, in the knowledge of his Queen. But there was treachery on board the " Golden Hind," and treachery must be punished. A traitor must die, even though he be the oldest and dearest friend of his judge. Thomas Doughty heard his sentence of doom pronounced by a man to whom justice was more than friendship.

After three long years the "Golden Hind" lay alongside the quay at Deptford. Drake had established the right of the English sailor to traverse the seas in safety. He had plundered the Spanish ships and driven them from the Southern seas.

Crowds lined the quayside to wait the arrival of the Queen, who was to honour the valiant commander of the "Golden Hind" with a visit. Drake appeared on the quay some time before his royal visitor, and the welcome given him by his countrymen was as genuine as it was loud. The dainty Elizabeth rushed into the arms of her husband, and shortly after the Queen, with her ladies and court attendants, were seen wending their way towards the weather-worn, battered little vessel.

Queen Elizabeth was proud of her subject. She complimented him upon his success, and what he had done for his country. But the Spanish ambassador interfered, haughtily demanding the cessation of Drake's voyages. In reply the Queen handed a sword to the emissary of the Duke of Alencon, and bade him confer the honour of knighthood upon the astonished Drake.

Phillip of Spain determined to crush the English. He prepared the Fortunate and Invincible Armada and sent it up the Channel to wreak bloodshed and slaughter on his foes. But he had reckoned without Drake.

Drake was playing bowls when the news of the approaching fleet arrived. " There is time," said he, " to finish the game and beat the Spaniards too!". And Drake did both.

Led by Drake in the " Revenge," the undermanned little ships of England's first navy went out to meet their powerful enemy. With what result is known to every Englishman! Hampered and disheartened by the small English ships, one by one the great Spanish vessels struck and surrendered. Others sank or were burned to the water's edge. Others, again, turned and fled, some to the westward, some to the eastward, there to meet destruction on the rocks and to pound their huge timbers to fragments on the stormy shores of their enemy. The great Armada was destroyed. The Spanish yoke was cast off for ever, England was mistress of the seas, and she was proud of Sir Francis Drake.

There were, however, courtiers who still envied and hated him, and who conspired to kill him. A great thanksgiving service was being held at Old St. Paul's. There the Queen and her great ladies, the nobles and the people of her land, would offer thanks to God for mercies vouchsafed.

Just as Drake advanced towards the Queen an assassin struck him. But the blow miscarried, leaving only a rent in his coat. Calmly he walked up the steps of the Cathedral. Elizabeth knelt and prayed while all heads were bowed.

Then shouts for Drake grew loud and long. Slowly he left his wife's side and faced the people.

"The little spot ye stand on," he said, "has become the centre of the earth. Men of England! Hitherto we have been too much afraid! Henceforth we will fear only God!".