The Passing of Mars: A Modern Morality Play

In this lyrical drama the stage becomes a sprawling field at harvest, where the World Inn watches over a gathering of peasants, mothers, and a sleeping god of war. Characters such as the Soul of Man, Religion, Science, Poetry and a seductive Glamour move like puppets of ideas, each embodying a force that shapes human destiny. The playwright invites listeners to hear how ancient myth collides with the modern world, asking what justice and truth look like when the ordinary folk must confront the hidden drums of conflict.

The opening scene unfurls with an Old Mother, a weathered sibyl, who watches women sharing food and song while sorrow lingers beneath the celebration. Her bitter recollections of war’s devastation clash with the youthful optimism of the women, creating a stark dialogue about memory, grief, and the possibility of renewal. As the sun sets and a church bell tolls, the play sets the stage for a moral examination that will echo through the voices of all who speak on the field.