PREFACE.

In the preparation of "The Exhibition Drama," the author has endeavored to present as great a variety as in the previous volumes of this series, and to comply, as far as possible, with the requests of numerous correspondents. Thus "Enlisted for the War" was written in response to a demand for something, based on the late civil war, which should meet the requirements of various Posts of the G. A. R. The musical allegories, "The Visions of Freedom," and "The Tournament of Idylcourt," were prepared for the graduating-class in a Boston grammar-school, and are of the same general character as those previously issued. The Christmas entertainment, and the dramatization of Dickens's "Christmas Carol," have both been successfully performed at sabbath-school entertainments. These, as well as the allegories, are plentifully supplied with tableaux, easily represented, and are adapted to the wants of many occasional exhibitions.

That "Amateur Dramas" are successful, the appearance 4of a fifth volume is convincing testimony. In addition to this, the warm commendations of the press, frequent testimonials from public teachers, and last, though not least, a steadily increasing demand for the old as well as the new, convince the author that he is honorably catering to a healthy appetite for innocent and wholesome recreation.

ENLISTED FOR THE WAR; OR, THE HOME-GUARD.

CHARACTERS.

COSTUMES.

Robert. Acts 1 and 2, Uniform of a private. Act 3, Uniform of a colonel.

Rowell. Act 1, Modern dress, change to colonel's uniform. Act 2, Colonel's undress uniform. Act 3, Fashionable dress.

10Hosea. Act 1, Make up "fat;" blue coat with brass buttons; nankeen pants; striped vest; white necktie; face florid; nose a little pimply; curly gray wig. Act 3, Something like the same, but figure rather emaciated; cheeks sunken; and a little more bald than in first act.

Hiram Jenks. Act 1, Short jacket, through which his arms protrude; light pants, very short; blue stockings; thick shoes; crop wig; general juvenile appearance. Act 3, Short dress bob-tail coat, &c.; not dandified, but neat; should be an entire change from Act 1.

Crimp. Act 1, Black woolly wig; gray pants; white shirt, sleeves rolled up; wide-rimmed straw hat. Act 2, Disguise of an old darkey; gray wig; gray side-whiskers; blue shirt; white duck pants, with one suspender. Act 3, Black coat and pants; white vest; white necktie.

Gen. Grant. Uniform of major-general, with cloak; military slouch hat, full beard, and make up as usual.

Gaylie Gifford. Act 1, Neat travelling-suit. Act 3, Handsome evening-dress.

Mrs. Trueworth. Black dress, white collar and cuffs, and widow's cap, very neat.

Mattie. Act 1, Muslin dress and white apron; sleeves rolled up. Act 3, Evening dress.

NOTE.—"Enlisted for the War," here presented in its most simple form, can be elaborately produced, if preferred. Where a military display is desirable, the second act will allow of "an awkward-squad drill," "relieving guard," a bayonet-drill, or the introduction of a camp song. At the end of the third act, the returning company might march across the stage, behind windows and door, illuminated with white and red lights, with the chorus "Marching through Georgia."

11Act I.—Scene. Interior of farm-house. Door in flat, R. C. Window in flat, L. C. Outside the window arrange flowers in pots, and shrubbery. Inside, muslin curtain draped up at L. Window open; between it and door, bureau or secretary. Lounge or sofa, L. Rocking-chair, R. C. Small table with a chair beside it, L. C.; writing-materials on table. Chair, L. Mrs. Trueworth discovered in rocking-chair, knitting and rocking. Mattie in chair beside table, her arms folded on table, her face hidden in her arms.

46Act II.—(After two years.) Headquarters of Col. Rowell in Virginia. Room in a farm-house. Door in flat L., open; window in flat R., open. Landscape behind, moonlight if possible. Set the "moon" L., so the light will fall through the door and window. Writing-desk or table, against R. side; writing-materials, a candle to light, a pile of letters and papers, upon it. Chair in front of this. Give the scene a military character by placing a stack of arms in L. corner back, a pile of knapsacks in R. corner with an American flag thrown over it; hang up a drum between the door and window. Robert discovered, with musket, on guard outside the door; passes door and window twice. A "distant" fife plays, "The Girl I left behind me," through: as it ceases, Rob should be at door; he leans against the doorway L.

57Act III.—(Two years later.) Parlor in Gaylie Gifford's house. Door in flat, C., windows each side of it, with drapery curtains; shrubbery outside. Table, R. C., with books, &c.; a lighted astral lamp upon it. Lounge, L. Arm-chair, R., with small table beside it. Easy-chairs, R. and L. Should be handsomely furnished; elegantly, if possible, by adding statuettes, screens, &c. Mrs. Trueworth discovered in arm-chair, R., knitting. Mattie sitting at table, L. C., reading a newspaper.

NEVER SAY DIE.

CHARACTERS.

COSTUMES MODERN AND APPROPRIATE.

Scene.—Handsome apartment in the house of Mr. Graylock. Table, C., red cloth. A study-lamp burning. Books and papers. Lounge, R. Arm-chair, L. Chairs R. and L. of table. Patty Pert seated in arm-chair with a book.

THE CHAMPION OF HER SEX.

THE CHAMPION OF HER SEX.

CHARACTERS.

COSTUMES MODERN AND APPROPRIATE.

Scene.—Apartment in Mrs. Duplex's house. Lounge, L.; two chairs, R.; table with writing-materials, and an easy-chair, C.

THE VISIONS OF FREEDOM.

CHARACTERS.

Action supposed to have occurred in Dreamland. Green bank, C. Behind this a small platform about six inches high; chorus seated R. and L. of stage.

136(As the chorus closes, enter R., Drowsa and Oblivia; L., Somna and Sootha; then R., Queen Mab, who stands C.)

THE MERRY CHRISTMAS OF THE OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE.

CHARACTERS.

Enter Old Woman, R. Her costume, bodice, quilted petticoat, sugar-loaf hat, high-heeled shoes, and cane.

FRONT VIEW OF COPPER TOE SHOE HOUSE.

Song: "We'll gather round the Christmas Tree." Santa Claus and Old Woman distribute presents to the company. Curtain falls.

REAR VIEW OF COPPER TOE SHOE HOUSE.

169Note.—This entertainment was prepared for a Sunday school's Christmas Eve, and was arranged as follows: A stage, fourteen feet square, was fitted with a "roll-up" curtain in front. Drapery was hung at the sides and back; a Christmas tree, filled with presents, was placed well back on the stage, and hidden by curtains arranged to separate in the middle. In front of these was placed "Copper Toe Shoe House." The rear view represents the frame made of wood, in two pieces, to separate in the middle, of the following dimensions: ten feet from toe to heel, five feet and one half from heel to top, four feet and one half across top, heel about twenty inches long, eight inches high. Cover front, in two separate sections, with black cambric; for toe, copper tinsel paper; for sole and patch, brown cambric; for buckle, silver tinsel paper; the patch fastened only at bottom. A curtain, of same material or color as back stage, should be hung in rear of shank, that children standing behind may not be seen. A settee is placed behind it, on which the children in

the dwelling stand. 1, 2, and 3 lie upon the stage, and stick their heads out when required. The characters can pass between the curtains at back, to their places. When the tree is disclosed, all the characters are in front, the settee is removed, the braces unfastened, and, at a signal, two boys run off the shoe, and others draw the curtains.

THE TOURNAMENT OF IDYLCOURT.

THE TOURNAMENT OF IDYLCOURT.

CHARACTERS.

Scene.—Idylcourt. For a school exhibition, the chorus should be seated right and left of an open space in the centre of the platform, for the speakers. There should be a raised platform, six or eight inches high, at the rear of this, with a dark background for the more effective display of tableaux.

During the singing of the Chorus, enter, R., Primeva, Majesta, Flora, and Oceana. Enter L., Genia, Classica, Blenda, Harmonia. At the conclusion, enter Justicia R., and stands C. Positions are indicated by the following diagram:—

Tableau: Justicia on platform, with her hands raised in benediction over Poesie, who stands before her, joining the hands of Genia, L., and Primeva, R.; Genia's followers on her L., Primeva's followers on her R.

Note.—The airs, "Shady Groves," and "Boatman's Song," can be found in "The Grammar School Chorus." The other airs are from the new "Fourth Music Reader," published by Ginn Brothers. Price, $1.50. Furnished by Lee and Shepard, Boston.

A THORN AMONG THE ROSES.

CHARACTERS.

COSTUMES.

Patience Plunkett. A very girlish attire, with an old face strongly marked; red hair, with corkscrew ringlets.

Job Seedling. Dark pants, rather short, white jacket, apron, stockings and shoes.

Other characters appropriately dressed.

Scene.—Music-room at Rosebush Institute; piano, back, C.; lounge or sofa, L.; arm-chair, R.; two or three chairs, R. and L. Entrance from R.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

CHARACTERS.

COSTUMES.

Scrooge. Rusty suit of black; gray wig.

Marley. Blue coat with brass buttons; breeches; top-boots with tassels; chain about his waist, with padlocks and keys fastened upon it; at the end, a cash-box; very white face; white wig, with hair standing up.

Fred. Handsome modern costume; light overcoat; red scarf tied loosely about his neck; gloves; hat.

Bob Cratchit. Rusty blue coat; shabby pants; iron-gray wig; large white comforter about his neck.

Tiny Tim. Roundabout jacket; comforter about his neck; crutch; cap.

228Boy. Jacket; large cap; very red nose; large mittens; comforter about his neck.

Christmas Past. A little girl; short white spangled dress; white stockings; shoes; a wig of long white hair.

Christmas Present. Purple robe reaching to the floor, trimmed with fur; long, brown, curly hair; full brown beard; on his head "a holly-wreath, set here and there with shining icicles;" a belt around his waist, to which is attached a scabbard.

Christmas to Come. Long black robe, with hood entirely concealing his features.

These costumes can be altered or improved by reference to Fields, Osgood, & Co.'s illustrated Christmas Carol.

Arrangement. This entertainment is arranged for a stage eighteen feet wide by fourteen feet deep. A curtain, to draw up, is required between the audience and the performers. Half way up the stage, another curtain, to separate in the centre, and draw aside; the front curtain should be green, the back dark fabric. The front of the stage represents Scrooge's office, where the dream (in this version) occurs. The back is used for the pictures. For home representation, the same arrangement can be easily carried out. The performer is directed as though standing upon the stage, facing audience.

STAVE I.

Scene.—Scrooge's office. L., a low desk, at which sits Scrooge, in a large arm-chair. R., a high desk, with a tall stool; candle burning upon the desk. C., a low stool. Bob standing by the desk with a poker in his hand; one foot advanced, as though creeping off L., looking at Scrooge with an anxious expression.

STAVE TWO.

Lively music. Curtain rises, showing Scrooge's office, as before. Scrooge sitting in chair, looking at back stage, the curtains of which are drawn, disclosing the Ghost of Christmas Present, who sits upon a seat covered with red, his right arm leaning upon a barrel. In his lap is a bowl of steaming punch; in his left hand, a torch [red fire, such as is used in tableaux, placed in a hollow at the end of a stick, will produce the desired effect]; round him are strewn articles, such as are given for presents. After a few seconds, Christmas Present rises, and comes forward. The curtains close.

STAVE THREE.

Scrooge's office, as before. Back curtains drawn. The Ghost of Christmas Future standing, R., pointing down; Scrooge beside him, L. Mournful music.

(Music: curtains at back are drawn, disclosing "A Christmas Picture." In the centre, the Ghost of Christmas Present, seated as before, with his torch raised, red fire blazing in it. At his L., the blindfolded gentleman, in the same position as before, with the lady getting away from him; on his L., the lady with the fan; R. of Christmas Present, Mrs. 248Cratchit, with the pudding in her hands; Martha at her R., with Tiny Tim in her arms. Two of the children opposite them, looking at the pudding. Tiny Tim speaks, when curtain is fairly drawn, "God bless us every one!" "The Christmas Carol" [see p. 64] is then sung by an invisible chorus; and the front curtain falls upon the whole picture.)