Mechthild Harkness

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Antigone Performances

Antigone program, London performance — RUDOLF STEINER HALL 35 PARK ROAD, LONDON, N.W.1. (Near Baker Street Station) On Thursday, October 8th, at 7.30 p.m. MECHTHILD HARKNESS (of the Goetheanum Stage Group, Dornach, Switzerland) PRESENTS THE ANTIGONE OF SOPHOCLES as a Sele Performance with MUSIC & MIME TICKETS 5 - at door, or in advance from Rudolf Steiner Bookshop, 35, Park Road, N.W.1 (PAD 9514) Some Press Notices : SWITZERLAND bout effort to the soul of bere the ' National Zeitung* .. exquisite, fascinating sensibility. The spectators were deeply and utterly moved. "Giornale der Popolo* Her expressive gestures and singing, which rang pure as a bell, lent a special charm to her playing. ITALY "Il Mattino Dell' Italia Centrale .. linear style and rare purity " La Nazione Italiana* exceptional artist, ingeniously creating magic. U.S.A. " Los Angeles Times* ..her acting a veritable gem. Santa Barbara News Press' Mechthild Harkness has not only fine artistry, but a compelling presence, that gives authority and meaning to her characterization.
Program for London performance
Quotations from reviews — ANTIGONE AN INTERPRETATION WITH MUSIC AND Mi PARIS Les Nouvelles Litteraries' Gabriel Marcel rival of Ruth Draper, she managed without effort to reconstruct by gesture, intonation and mime the soul of each of her characters accompanying herself with the harp, she sang with the most pure voice I don't know what melody perfectly suited to the situation. Aris' A style of playing of exceptional quality gesture is of rare beauty breathtaking a grandeur and simplicity of which one knows few examples in Paris. GERMANY 'Weser Kurier' unpretentious and above all inwardly filled, that is how theater should always be played. The audience forgot time and space, became all eye and ear; a rare and intense experience. 'Bremer Nachrichten Mechthild Johannsen, superb artist and brilliant performer. "Hamburg Presse A revelation of the true art of acting, hardly expected and rarely seen. Thought, feeling and word became image before our eyes. Shattering and marvelous, the split- second transformations of voice, expression and movement. SWITZERLAND 'National Zeitung' exquisite, fascinating sensibility. The spectators were deeply and utterly moved "Giornale der Popolo' Her expressive gestures and singing, which rang pure as a bell, lent a special charm to her playing. 'Basler Nachrichten . incredible power of transformation. An artist of original and most powerful talent. A whole the stage. ITALY 'II Mattino Dell Italie Cate linear style and marvelous success. 'La Nazione Italiana exceptional artist, ing magic. Nuovo Corrieré' revealing with extrem the infinitefantasy Copeau dreamed of. UNITED STATES 'Los Angeles Times' . her acting a veritable Santa Barbara News Press Rondi bumble yet queenly quiet grace, speaking with and singing with simple Igric There was richness and nuance of expression that too rarely in the theater today. nsen has a wide range of vocal and pitch in her roles. In a few eloquent lines, a few ments of restrained pantomine, a character of such vividness as in one's memory for years. Miss Johannsen has not onis fise but a compelling presence that gives ority and meaning to her charact 'Santa Barbara Star' It has not often been our chance ness more perfection and finesse "Ojai Valley News Top. honors to Mechthild Johannsen for her sensitive and finely drawn portarral Her grace of movement, mobility of er pression, without once overstepping the confines of the character she played, were impressive to a high degree. MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON BING HAM, HIGH VALLEY THEATER, OJAI
Quotations from reviews
Antigone in Canada — Theatre and Academy. Besides appearing in performances in various schools and colleges, her plans include a tour of the main cities of the United States in her production of "Antigone." She is also working at present on her own interpretation of Tennyson's "Idylls of the King." Next I want to do Joan of 'Are," Miss Johannsen said, and added with her sincere and in- fectious laugh, "I guess I must be a strong character. I like best to portray strong characters in my work. They appeal to me. Good perhaps for my work, but hard to live with." Experiencing Miss Johannsen's unpretentions and charming company for an hour or more, one finds it hard to believe the latter part of her statement. Sings Folk Songs In telling of her dramatic work, only half of the story is revealed, for this young wom- of exceptional talents also been acclaimed by Ameri- English and European au- lences and critics for her full program of traditional songs of many countries. shannsen had almost com- • vocal studies in pre- for opera when her were turned in other through the meeting she sband, Alan Hark- has appeared in operettas, and has reeted with enthus- interpretations of ancient and modern. the accompanies her. large zither, a most strument of harp- She has appeared States and Europe in ing and delightful stay in Burope while sere from 1948 to 1951, annsen brought back ing observations on Seattens bar feneral, eatre particular .coat Paris Not The Same "paris is not the same," she red wool Fore. A loevara couvementous "But England," she went on, "England is different. There, in spite of rationing and all the things which might have dulled their spirit, there is a tremen- And Canada? Yes, Canada is making great strides. "Of course sen said enthusiastically. To date, Miss Johannsen has 1 1 1 Would Appear Here and Mrs. Schon, there is a good
Extract from Canadian newspaper, 1953
Antigone in America — Monterey Meninsula Herald Monday, Septemi Audience Spellbound By 'Antigone' By IBENE ALEXANDER A Saturday night audlence which filled erarge seat in the Golden Bough Players' Circle sat spell- bound as Mechtild Johannsen gave an inspired interpretation of one d the world's great classical tragedies. In her solo presentation of Sophocles" "Antigone," Miss Jo- hannsen admirably recreated diversified cast of characters and managed to preserve all the dignity and majesty of a full production. The text used by Miss Johann- sen is a Dudley Fitts and George Fitzgerald translation, its five scenes. woven into an impressive tapestry by music of inrown and Leopold von dens paris composi- -performed with kill and in. grace on harp flute, gong, in a cycle tragedies begin- "Oedipus Rex." drama. confliet between an edict! and an ultimatum of a situation, that of a between a law of that she per- slain uncle it outmoded. the play Solo Interpretation Of 'Antigone' At High Valley Theater MECHTHILD JOHANNSEN "Antigone' In One-Man Theater Here Mechthild Johannsen, acclaimed [Бу critics as among today's fore- most "one-woman theater" per- formers, will give her unusual in- terpretation of Sophocles' "Anti- gone' in the Players' Circle the Golden Bough Theater on Sat- urday evening, Sept. 12. Miss Johannsen will be presented under the sponsorship of local friends. In 1950 she toured Europe with her late husband, the distinguished actor and director, Alan Harkness, in "Great Moments from Shake. speare," and before that took part in the Ojai Valley Theater produc- tions, including "Cricket on the Hearth," and "Macbeth." During recent months Miss Johannsen has toured Southern California with her current production of "Anti- gone." According to a critic for the La Jolla Journal, "few evenings in the theater have aroused the en- thusiasm which accompanied Miss Johannsen's presentation of 'An- tigone." It was a rare opportunity to see the Greek drama performed in its entirety with a sensitive un- derstanding and masterly imper- sonation of each tragic character by a superb actress." 'Antigone' Monferey Meninsula Herald Monday, September 7, 1953, 16 Saturday ment to the words of the classio In Carmel drama, An actress of outstanding ability, Miss Johannsen will be remem- Sophocles' great tragedy, "An- bered for her excellent portrayal (tigone," will be given an interpre- Players' production of Mary Perrybingle in the Oiai satechnia Fobsinsand estime. by cricket on Pro Heart » some Jeas Mechthild Johannsen next Satur- day evening in the Players Cir- ago at the Golden Bough Theater. cle at the Golden Bough Theater Sectars, Holder his rarm, Coas in Carmel. Miss Johannsen depicts charac- mel Valley home of Noel Sullivan. ters/ and chorus and plays her "Antigone" will be heard at 8:15 own composition of incidental mu- o'clock Saturday evening. The en- sic in her presentation. Sounds of trance to the Golden Bough Play. harp and recorder contrast with ers' Circle is on Casanova Street. the brazen notes of a gong and drum beats in the melodic pat- tern which forms an accompani-
Various clippings from American papers, 1953
Antigone in California — the nation's most unique weekly SPECTATIR :ARMEL, CALIFORNIA, SEPT. 17, 1953 TEN CENTS THE CARMEL ONE-NIGHT STAND ALL TOO SHORT The idea of seeing one woman interpret "Antigone, " a Greek tragedy so typical that nearly ev- erybody in it either commits sui- cide or is murdered, did not,on Priday, particularly appeal, But on Saturday evening at the Golden Bough Circle Theater we changed our mind: Mechthild Johannsen, a lady who has been compared to Ruth Draper, held her audience completely enthralled, It takes a masterly touch and a strong constitution to switch from role to role through the duration of a melodramatic, emotional play in which just one role would ray the stamina or just one actor or actress. Miss Johannsen has both, As Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, she is handsome, noble, As Ismene, another daughter, she is weak, tremulous. As Creon, King of Thebes, she is overbearing, stub- born - a hateful man (who remind- ed us, in voice and manner, of someone we know (we can't think who)) As the leader of the chorus, as Haimon, son of Creon, as Teires- las, a blind prophet, as a messen- ger, as Euridice - all down the ried a penalty. It improved facili- filling to meet the In personal efforts tions of $150,000. y, the Meyer be- h consisted of an securities which hysical expansion an endowment of ars. In time, there ver sum from the hich the Art Cen- v beneficiary. d, Mr. Gray pro- property. From on both Prospect levard, our hold- sed to 356 feet on on Coast Boule- c, with a view of the enth lery exp The n 700, the Art Cer 22,688. With nition, well in large ga are reco of the service. Now, his cred -Mr. burden to have wise co line she changes voice, express. Ion, characterization so easily and well that there is never any doub as to who is speaking. / The translation she uses - one by Dudley Fitts and George Fitzgerald - has, startlingly, a modern sound, Such words as "anarchy," such ex- pressions as "Make moneyl. Spec- ulatel" appear frequently. The total effect, though less poetic than Sophocles undoubtedly in- tended, makes for more complete comprehension on the part of an audience of today. Miss Johannsen accompanies the pronouncements of the traditional Greek chorus, as well as some of the speeches, with harp and re- corder music and drums, Her play- ing serves to produce the illusion of a chorus and to heighten emo- tional impact, but we feel that a second person should have been drafted for the job; the interludes are distracting, "Antigone* was a one-night stand, We'd be glad to see Miss Johannsen in Carmel again, - S. S.
Antigone in California
Antigone review: Jolla Light — THURS. JAN 15, 1953 "Antigone" Presentation Enjoyed Here A very enthusiastic audience at- formation from the distraught Alan Calvert spoke briefly on tended the unusual presentation of young girl Antigone to the ro- the centuries-old play and read a "Antigone" at La Jolla Art Cen- bust and cruel Creon was readily brief synopsis of it before the ter last Friday evening. Mechthild. visualized and accepted. Johannsen, by use of her remark- Spectators, as tragedy follow- opening prologue. The Greek story, the originality of its pre- able voice color and range, her ed tragedy, waited with fascina- sentation, and Miss Johannsen's adequate but never superfluous tion the inevitable climax and the superb performance gave members gesture and the mere shifting of just punishment of the man who of the Art Center a memorable a scarf portrayed all the charac- abused his powers and nursed an evening. ters in the Dudley Fitts and arrogant pride. George Fitzgerald translation of -Freda L. Klapp, Director Sophocles' great drama. She gave each one his peculiar setting; played on reed instruments for intervals; emphasized descriptions by playing on a small Irish harp and strengthened dramatic effects La Jolla Light Thursday, Jan. 8th, 1953 JOLLA LIGHT by beating a drum or cymbal. Her range of characterization made possible even physical différences for in direct dialogue the trans- Johannsen Impresses With Greek Tragdey Br Procter tragie drama *Anti- Fires an unusual and interpretation br Mech- last weekend at In showcase, char: played her • incidental well conceit- Miss Johan. sharp- the ffects. ability handlo ShAS sister good, of the Noted Aciress to Give Art Center Program Tomorrow One of the most important events of the Art Center's winter Season is the appearance tomor- row evening at 8 o'clock of Mech- thild Johannsen in her interpreta- tion with music and mime of Sophocles' "Antigone." This noted actress has performed in Ger- many, Italy and Switzerland as well as in this country, always receiving exceptional praise for the wide range of vocal color in her roles and for the split-second transformations of voice expres- sion and movement. "Antigone" was selected from a choice of sub- jects offered becouse the Greek drama is of special interest to many Art Center members now privileged to see it performed by a superb artist. Musie, ns mentioned shore created by the performec. proved once again that she is woman of many talents. Sonade of the harp, and varyiug wives ot racorders were contrasted with the brazen notes of a gong and drum beats in beautiful melodie patterns or formal dark and fore boding accompaniment for tragic words of the classie. As a tour de force, Miss Johan- nBen has chosen a rehiele and a medium for which she la admirab. suited. but though. the pro- duction is an excellent one we doubt that its classis story aad presentation will find great pular favor with the publie. pe. On Tuesday the annual mem- bership exhibition of oil paintings was opened to the public and a tea honoring the exhibitors will be given on Sunday, Jan. 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. The tea will afford the visitors a pleasant opportun- ity to meet the painters and the painters to meet fellow artists, many of them from distant areas. Mrs. Ernest Kaltenbach and her social committee will have charge of the tea. Freda L. Klapp, director.
More American reviews
Press cuttings — DeaseretrerntoMedituilllaRKNISS BOAMA - MAN in AR 135-a Victoria Avenue Chatswood, N. S. W. Phone: 40-2454. HARKINESS ㆉCITHILDJOBA#₩S☆☆ presents ANTIGONE •..FROMBEPRESS AUDIENCE SPETIBOUND BY "ANTIGONE' A Saturday night audience which filled every seat in the Golden Bough Player's GArole sat spellbound as lechthild Johandbeti gave an inspired interpretation of one of the world's great classical tragedies. In her solo presentation of Sophokles' 'Antigone', Illas Johannsen admirably recreated a diversified cast of characters and managed to preserve all the dignity and majesty of a full production. HARKN SSS The text used by Miss Johennsen is a Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald translation, its five scenes woven into an impressive tapestry by music of her ow and Leopold van der Pals' composition - performed with skill and infinite grace on harp, flute, gong and kettle drum. With the altuation, that of a young girl caught between a law of the gods demanding that she perform funeral rites for her alain brother and the threat of death at the hands of her kingly uncle if she does so, seems long outmoded; nevertheless the underlying theme of the play and the lines through which It unfolds are as timely as today's newspaper. Miss fokennseh 1s not only an experienced actress, but one exceptionally well equipped with beauty of voice and feature. Her interpretation of 'Antigone' showed a rare depth of understanding and sensitive apprecia tion of her material. MONTEREY PAININSULA HERALD Irene Alexander ONE-NIGHT STAND ALL TOO SHORT The idea of seeing one woman interpret 'Antigone', a Greek tragedy so typical that nearly everybody in it either comits suicide or is mur- dered, did not, on Friday, particularly appeal. But on Saturday evening at the Golden Bough Mayal Circle Theater we changed our mind: Mechthild Hi Johansen, a lady who has been compared to Ruth Draper, held her audience completely enthralled. It takes a masterly touch and a strong constitution to switch from role to role through the duration of a melodramatic, emotional play in which just one role would tax the stamina of just one actor or actress. Miss Johannsen has both. As Antigone, daugater of Oedipus, she is handsome and noble. Is Ismene, another daughter, she is weak, tremulous. As Creon, King of Thebes, she
Program notes for the Australian performance during the 1970’s. At this stage Mechthild’s school of dramatic arts, situated in Chatswood, was known by the name of Boama.
Boama — The World Education Fellowship presents MECHTHILD HARKNESS (of Boama - Man in Art - Sydney, teacher of speech for the Old Tote Theatre Company - Sydney) THE ANTICONE OF SOPHOCLES a Solo Enactment with Music and Mime Clubbe Hall - Frensham-Mittagong On Tuesday, JanuaryArd 1972 Admission 80cents Enquiries and tickets: World Education Fellowship 265 Castlereagh St, Sydney 61 9246 Some Press Notices PARIS Les Nouvelles Litteraries (Gabriel Marcel) rival of Ruth Draper, she managed without effort to reconstruct by gesture, intonation and mime the soul of each of her characters Aris' A style of playing of exceptional quality where the gesture is of rare beauty . . . a grandeur and simplicity of which one knows few examples in Paris. GERMANY "Bremer Nachrichten' Mechthild Harkness, superb artist and brilliant performer. Hamburg Presse' A revelation of the true art of acting, hardly expected and rarely seen. SWITZERLAND National Zeltung* .. exquisite, fascinating sensibility. The spectators were deeply and utterly moved. ' Giornale der Popolo' Her expressive gestures and singing, which rang pure as a bell, lent a special charm to her playing. ITALY *Il Mattino Dell' Italia Centrale ..linear style and rare purity. *La Nazione Italiana exceptional artist, ingeniously creating magic. U.S.A. Los Angeles Times her acting a veritable gem. "Santa Barbara News Press* Mechthild Harkness has not only fine artistry, but a compelling presence that gives authority and meaning to her characterization,
Program notes for Australian production
Program — PROLOGUE PARADOS SCENE I ODE SCENE 11 ORDER OF THE PLAY ANTIGONE ISMENE CHORUS CREON SENTRY - CHORUS SENTRY CREON ANTIGONE *ISMENE INTERMISSION ODE SCENE 1 ODE SCENE IV CHORUS CREON CHORUS CHORUS HAIMON ANTIGONE INTERMISSION SCENEY PAEAN EXODUS TETRES IAS CREON CHORUS MESSENGER EURIDICE CREON In a world where all men are not equally free, the story of ANTIGONE, who preferred death to dishonour is ever poignant, timely, tragic... Her history begins with Oedipus, whose evil star so apparent at birth that his royal father, King Laios dad taus trot trust to Als nativd brought unknowing ore lag, court, origin. On the Journey he kills his father and after solving the riddle of the Sphinx that holds thrall over Thebes, he proclaimed King and given the widowed queen, locaste, own mother - for his wife. Four children spring from thl marriage: twosons, Eteocles and Polyneices and two daughters Antigone and Issene. When these horrors becone known, locaste hangs her- self and Oedipus puts out his own eyesight. He is later deposed from the throne by his sons and goes begging the roads with Antigone to dio in Exile. The two sons agree to share in the rule of Thebes, each to reign in alternate years. But their fathers' curse, which they incurred when deposing him,determines their fate. When Eteocles has ruled a full year he refuses to relinquish the throne to his brother. Polyneices then calls upon Argives City wink the ratus ardy. sets forth to besiege his native When neither side seems to be winning the two brothers agree to fight it our singlehanded. In the ensuing combat they kill each other and the Argive host withdraws From the siege. ereon, uncle of Oedipus children, now becomes King. The scene is still Thebes, the public square be- fore the Kings palace. The ensuing action takes place between dawn and dusk of the day after the fatal combat of thastwo brothers. Antigone stands alone under the paling stars. joined in a moment by her younger sister. Iscene.
Notes for Australian production
Antigone Reviews - Mechthild Harkness — CURTAIN U The performance ten- masterpiece of statement with a bar ting. a single costume Q versatile drapes and basement musical instruments drum, cymbals and a on which the played to heighten th fect of the chorus. at the of a Great theatr Almost with a single black ture, she conjured up field, picture of ancient Gi block the city of Thebes and nsitively dry earth on which acted by unburied Polyneices la In a performance of power, Mechi con- Harkness standard. sense developed of impending d should enrich death Antig life of city. Haimon and Euridice. patronise the gift for creating the rei the into present third event was a comes Tinto realm perform- theatre. really Mechthild Hark- Sophoclea' Anti- Boama art Chatswood. Harkness has England erland with this which shows her talent. of Soph- • Tully ex- Mechthild Hark- eterpretation of the main charac- in turn was Anti- sister Ismene, his son Hai- blind prophet sentry, the and the chorus. great Mechthild Harkness was bor in Switzerland but emigrated to the United States with her family in 1923. From her earliest years Lurythmy and dramatic performances were an integral part of her daily life. At college she majored in drama English school) and interpretative dance, then worked for a time at Deykarhanova's School for the Stage in New York in the Stani slevsky method. Her interest in music led her to the Julliard Institute and the opera department of the Mannes Music School, During the war years she completed her training in Eurythmy while participating in student opera productions, Gilbert and Sullivan repertory and summer stock productions. In 1946 she joined the company of her late husband, Alan Harkness (of Abintre Theatre fame in Adelaide before the war and the Chekhov Theatre Studio and company in England and USA), mith which she toured the West Coast in repertory and partici- pated as teacher in the High Valley Theatre School in Ojai, Califomia, From 1949 to 1951 she toured Europe with her husband in their programmes of Great Moments from Shakespeare, In 1953, after her husband's tragic death, Mechthild Harkness. created Sophocles Antigone as a solo performance with which she toured the East and West coasts of America, Ingland and Switzerland. In 1954 she became a permanent member of the acting ensemble at the Goetheanwn in Switzerland, performing, teaching and producing over many years, In 1967 she undertook to set up a speech and drama department at Imerson College in Sussex, England. Since 1969 she has been in Australie, teaching speech for the Old Tote Theatre Company and building up her o school for speech and drama in Chat swood,
Antigone Reviews — Mechthild Harkness