PORTRAIT OF PRINCE ALBERT.
One Male Figure.
This tableau is produced in the same manner as the Madonna. The gentleman who personates Prince Albert should, in general outline of features and form, resemble the original as much as possible. The costume consists of a crimson coat richly trimmed with gold lace, and heavy decorations in silver on the left breast, gold epaulets, a richly ornamented sword and belt, buff vest trimmed with gold lace, buff breeches, top boots trimmed at the top with gold binding, a red sash, and black chapeau. The position must be so that a partial front view can be had of the body; eyes directed straight forward. The light should be of medium quantity, and come from the front of the stage. Music of a national order.
THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON.
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O! thou hast wander'd long From thy home without a guide; And thy native woodland song, In thine altered heart hath died. Thou hast flung the wealth away, And the glory of thy Spring; And to thee the leaves' light play Is a long-forgotten thing. Still at thy father's board There is kept a place for thee; And, by thy smile restored, Joy round the hearth shall be. Mrs. Hemans. |
Four Male Figures.
This scene, so familiar in Scripture history, represents the father standing on the step of his mansion, about to embrace his son, who stands near. The background of the picture should represent the portico of a house, and can be made in the following manner: Procure at a paper store four fresco pilasters, with caps and bases, and a wide cornice to match; also a roll of granite paper; paste the cornice and pilasters on cloth; fasten the cornice across the ceiling of the stage, five feet from the background, and suspend the pilasters from the lower edge, placing them at equal distances from each other; form the steps out of boxes and boards, and cover them with the granite paper. At each side of the steps place a large vase of flowers. Behind the pilasters, at the end of the upper step, are seen two servants. They are stooping down and looking at the group in the foreground. Their costume can be easily made up. Frock coats, trimmed on the bottom of the skirts, cuffs, and front with colored cloth, five inches wide; white pants, black hose, crossed with red binding; low shoes; knee and shoe buckles; low-crowned, black Kossuth hat, encircled with a band of gold, and ornamented in front with a large paste pin and showy plume. The gentleman who represents the father must be of good height and large figure. His costume consists of a purple velvet coat and breeches, white hose, crossed with black ribbons, low shoes, knee and shoe buckles; over the shoulders is thrown a long cloak, trimmed with ermine; hair and beard quite long, which can be imitated with flax, glued to cloth made to fit the head and face. If dresses cannot be procured at a costumer's, cheap material can be made up for the occasion, and will look quite pretty. A blue circular cloak, or a lady's velvet cape, trimmed with white cotton flannel, two inches wide, with small pieces of black-shag fastened on at intervals of five inches, will look well, and will resemble ermine. The breeches can be made of purple cambric, trimmed with gold paper. A blue dress coat, trimmed with gold paper, and covered with white lace, will answer for an under-coat. The father's position is, standing on the second step of the portico, with both hands extended, body bending forward slightly, eyes fixed on the son, countenance expressing joy and happiness. The son stands at the foot of the steps, leaning on a stout branch of a tree, which he has been using for a cane on his journey. He displays a side view of the body, and is costumed in a coarse brown frock, open in the neck, displaying his neck and bosom, and tied around the waist with a piece of rope; large rents should be made in the sleeves, showing the flesh within; knee breeches of coarse material, torn at the side; brown hose; and shoes, which are almost worn out, and are tied to the foot with strings; hair hanging over the forehead; skin colored light brown; his eyes cast down to the ground, and countenance melancholy. The light must be quite brilliant, and come from the side opposite to the servants. Music animating.