GOOD KING WENCESLAS
A CHRISTMAS PLAY FOR CHILDREN IN TWO ACTS
This play was written to meet a request of church workers for a Christmas entertainment of dramatic character to be given within one hour and with no change of scene. The author, therefore, has arranged Act I to be read aloud to an audience with no acting, which reading shall be followed by the rise of curtain and the presentation of the two scenes of Act II. The dramatic parts for the play, as thus arranged, are those only that are found in Act II, and are given below. All may be readily taken by children.
| Dame Goody (Hedwig) | |||
| Gretchen | |||
| Violet Alfred Bernice Kenneth | Children of Mrs. Collingwood | ||
| Pauline Louise Esther Olive Dorothy Laurence Ralph David | Friends of the Collingwood children | ||
Other children may be added, if desired, or the above number lessened. (See notes.)
"We had a most successful Christmas entertainment. The applause was so loud we feared the children would forget to finish their parts."—Miss Alice F. Danforth, Springfield, Mass.
"A great success for a Christmas entertainment, there is so much life and color in it, so much song and emotion. It is well and carefully done with both the proportion of moderation and the charm of deep sentiment."—David S. Muzzey, Ph.D., Yonkers, N. Y.
"It is difficult to find words to express my admiration for the play 'Good King Wenceslas.' I believe it will be far-reaching in its influence."—Miss N. H. Cottrell, Albany, N. Y.
"It is splendid."—Rev. Wm. H. Garth, St. Michael's Rectory, Naugatuck, Conn.
This play may be given more elaborately by the representing on the stage of Act I. This arrangement will call for the addition of the following characters:
| Helen Armstrong, a girl of 15, afterward Mrs. Collingwood |
| Four School Girls |
| Edwin, a footman |
| Man, a thief |
| Woman, a thief |
| Boy |
| Train Announcer |
| Gateman, who inspects tickets |
Other R. R. officials, passengers, etc., etc.
Scene laid at New York R. R. Station
"Simple and picturesque, bright and pathetic in turn."—Rt. Rev. Alexander H. Vinton, D. D., Bishop, Springfield, Mass.
"It breathes the Christmas spirit and has a true dramatic interest that holds one to the end."—Miss Eleanor Meneely, Albany, N. Y.
"I have greatly enjoyed 'Good King Wenceslas.' The introduction of the carols is a beautiful feature of the play. Your work along these lines is a work that has long been needed."—Rev. Fredk. J. Sawers, Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal, Canada.
"The play is splendid and the first act is great. I hope we can give 'Good King Wenceslas,' for your plays are so 'playable,' it is a joy to work over them."—Miss Marion H. Sterns, Instructor in Elocution and Physical Culture, Staten Island Academy, Staten Island, N. Y.
Price 25 cents.