NOTES ON COSTUME AND SETTING
The parts of the Mother and St. Nicholas should be played by adults: other adult parts taken by young people sixteen to eighteen.
Mother Madelon. Plain dark dress, white kerchief, white peasant's cap.
Hans. (Eight years old.) White shirt, bright-colored vest, full blue trousers, red stockings. Toboggan cap.
Gretel. (Six years.) Full white waist, black bodice, red skirt, or dark skirt and red stockings. White peasant's cap. Both children may wear wooden shoes.
Friedel. (Boy of nine.) Very ragged coat and trousers. Bare feet. No hat. (Should be a thin little fellow whose appearance may give the touch of pathos.)
Old Marta. (May be taken by a boy, if preferred.) Poorly dressed, in old shawl and hood, carrying a bundle of fagots. Face deeply wrinkled and lined, with an ill-tempered expression.
Rich Johann. Velvet coat, flowered vest, full knee-breeches, shoes with silver buckles. Broad-brimmed felt hat. Silver-headed cane. Is very pompous.
Cross Jacob. Rough farm clothes, heavy boots.