Description
From the Dust Jacket
Set in the Syrian city of Antioch early in the second century, Antioch Actress exploits powerfully the age-old conflict between Church and Theater. There could be no peace between the two institutions, for the Church stood for the freedom and sanctity of the individual, from which democracy springs, and already the Stage was the mouthpiece of Caesarism, advocating the ruthless suppression essential to military dictatorship. At the outset of the story, the Emperor Trajan and his chief general, Fascus, decide to undermine the power of the Syrian Christians by having them ridiculed and burlesqued on the stage. They choose three theatrical people to go to Antioch and put on the shows. To Cynthia Mamuta, Rome’s leading star in pantomime, the mission is a rare opportunity for revenge. Antioch-born and reared as a Christian, she was expelled from the Church as a young girl. Through the years she has kept warm her hatred of Bishop Ignatius and the Church in Antioch, and Trajan’s order gives her Imperial authority to ridicule them. Old Roscius Gallus is the fat, easygoing manager of one of Rome’s big theaters. He does not relish a long, hard trip and takes no pleasure in harrying Christians or anyone else. But Trajan’s orders are definite and Roscius is not a man to break his head fruitlessly against a stone wall. The third member of the group is the young playwright Marcus Macer. Already in Trajan’s black books for public criticism of the government, Macer is reprieved from imprisonment in the copper mines—for all practical purposes, a death sentence—in order that he may write the scenes against the Christians. In spite of a facile irony of speech, Macer is a high-minded man with something of a hero’s disregard of safety when a principle is at stake. He and Cynthia were once lovers, but she has turned to other affairs that can gain her influence in high places. Her vanity and ambition repel him, but in spite of her intrigues with high officials Cynthia has a selfish and possessive and enduring passion for him. On the long trip and at Antioch she makes every effort to win him back and master him. In Antioch Macer is kept in loose custody. Through the officer responsible for him, Gains Cornelius, he and Roscius come into contact with Bishop Ignatius, his lovely niece Alee, whom Cornelius loves, and the other Christians. Secretly they are soon inextricably bound up with them. Meanwhile, Cynthia is openly pursuing her revenge—and, a little less openly, Marcus Macer. Throughout the fall and winter while the shows are in preparation, the tension mounts, the lines of conflict tighten. At last March brings the great shows to the Antioch theater and the decisive moment in the conflict between Trajan and the Christians. Though Dr. Perkins has carefully prepared the way, the great smashing climax is as unexpected as it is satisfying.
Publishing Info
Antioch Actress: A Novel of Pagan Against Christian by J. R. Perkins. From Bobbs-Merrill with 1946 copyright. This hardcover book measures about 8″ x 5-1/2″ and has 279 numbered pages.
Condition
See photo above. The dust jacket is in good condition for age with some edge wear, tears and chips. The boards are very good with bung in top right corner of front. The pages are toning from age and have some speckles on top page edges. Name and date inside front cover but no other markings found. From clean, smoke-free Christian/theatre home.
Shipping
Generally sent the same day payment arrives. Unless you request otherwise, I will wrap the book in plastic wrap to help protect it from the elements, create a custom-made cardboard box to ship it in, and send via Media Mail with Delivery Confirmation tracking. See the shipping page for the cost to send a two-pound Media Mail package. Insurance is an additional cost as described. I am delighted to combine postage and insurance costs if you purchase more than one item. The second item may travel for free or just a few cents more — so it’s worth taking a look at my other items before you complete your order.
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