First couple promenade around inside; ladies all forward to centre; give right hands and back to places; gentleman the same; balance to partners and turn; grand right and left half round; promenade to places and turn partners; all chassez across, giving right hands at corners and back to places. Repeat four times; then all promenade.
Dramatic Amusements.
PRIVATE theatricals and dramatic or Shakspeare reading clubs are among the fashionable amusements of the present day. Many, I know, disapprove of them; but I think they do far more good than harm. They certainly strengthen the lungs, memory, and improve the intellectual tastes. But I will not discuss the subject, as far abler pens than mine have already argued on both sides of the question. Private theatricals amuse a large circle of friends, and any club willing to undertake the presentation of plays deserves the thanks of the audience.
Even a simple farce requires much labor and frequent rehearsals, to be well acted, and one soon wearies of the constant repetition of even witty sayings. The most trivial character must be carefully studied, for one bad actor often destroys the effect of the whole play. Then the foot-lights, stage, &c., must be prepared. A few directions, with a list of easy farces may be of service. All who live in cities can easily hire scenery, dresses, &c., but for the benefit of towns and villages, I will give a short account of how such things can be managed.
Some lady can almost always be found who will give the use of her house. A house should be selected which has two parlors, connected by large folding doors, or an arch; one parlor being for the audience, and the other for the stage. All the furniture and carpets should be taken from the latter room. A rough staging should be built (boards can be easily hired), and by boring a hole in the floor a gas-pipe can be run up along the front of the staging, with a sufficient number of burners. Tin shades painted green (as they render the light softer, and more agreeable to the eye) are an addition, for they keep the light from the audience, and throw it directly on the actors. A large floor cloth can be nailed on the stage for a carpet. A drop curtain, so arranged as to be rolled up quickly and easily, by means of a cord pulley at one side of the stage, where the prompter sits, just out of sight of the audience, is necessary. Scenery for the sides and back parts of the stage can be roughly painted on cloth; it answers every purpose of canvass by being strained when wet over light wooden frames (made so as to be easily moved); when dry, it presents a smooth, hard surface.