THE GUARDIAN ANGEL.
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Angels, joyful to attend, Hovering round thy pillow bend, Wait to catch the signal given, And convey thee quick to heaven. |
One Female and One Male Figure.
This is a most pleasing tableau, and represents the good angel, in whose existence and controlling power there is scarce any one so rude as not to believe, attending a young boy, who looks reverently upward, to heed the admonitions of his celestial companion. The lady who personates the angel should be of good figure, tall and slim, with fine features, and light curly hair. Costume consists of a loose white dress, over which is worn a robe of white tarleton muslin; these should be cut quite low in the neck, and long at the bottom; sleeves long, and fitting tight to the arms; a wide mantle of tarleton muslin worn across the breast, and allowed to trail with the dress at the side. Large wings, formed of wire, covered with white muslin, and ornamented with spangles, must be fastened to the back of the waist. The hair should hang in ringlets, and be encircled with a band of silver. The boy must be of small stature, good features, and have long, light, curly hair. Costume consists of a loose short frock, made of white cloth, trimmed around the collar and ends of sleeves with white lace; white breeches, white hose, white shoes, and a small satin sash about the waist. Both of the figures stand on a pedestal two feet high by three square, which should be covered with black marble paper. The angel stands in the centre of the pedestal, the left hand resting on the boy's left shoulder, the right hand on his right shoulder. Her head is turned away to the left, the eyes fixed on the floor, the countenance pleasant. The boy stands a little to the right of the angel, arms crossed on his breast, head turned sideways, and slightly back, eyes fixed on the face of the angel. The crimson curtains, without the fairies, that are used in the tableau of the "[Dancing Girl in Repose]," may be placed over the group. The side curtains can be held up at the side by crimson bands. A curtain of white gauze, drawn across the front of the stage, will give a good effect to the tableau. The light should be of medium brilliancy, and come from the front side of the stage. Music soft, and of a sacred character.
THE PYRAMID OF BEAUTY.
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Beauty is as crystal in the torchlight, sparkling on the poet's page; Virgin honey of Hymettus, distilled from the lips of the orator; A savor of sweet spikenard, anointing the hands of liberality; A feast of angel's-food set upon the tables of religion. She is seen in the tear of sorrow, and heard in the exuberance of mirth; She goeth out early with the huntsman, and watcheth at the pillow of disease. Science, in his secret laws, hath found out latent beauty; Sphere and square, and cone and curve, are fashioned by her rules: Mechanism met her in his forces, fancy caught her in its flittings, Day is lightened by her eyes, and her eyelids close upon the night. Beauty is dependence in the babe, a toothless tender nursling; Beauty is boldness in the boy, a curly rosy truant; Beauty is modesty and grace in fair retiring girlhood; Beauty is openness and strength in pure high-minded youth; Man, the noble and intelligent, gladdeneth earth in beauty, And woman's beauty sunneth him, as with a smile from heaven. Tupper. |
Fifteen Female Figures.
This fine tableau contains fifteen female figures, who are arranged in the form of a pyramid. They should be quite young, of good figure and features. Their costume consists of a pure white dress, cut low in the neck, sleeves five inches long, a white satin sash about the waist, white shoes and hose, hair done up in a compact and tasty manner, and encircled with a wreath of myrtle, while a small bouquet of flowers is placed on the front of the waist. The pyramid must be first formed of boxes, fastened firmly together, and covered with white cloth; five ladies of the same height sit on the lower seat, four on the second seat, three on the third seat, two on the fourth, and one on the fifth and last. Each should be furnished with a garland of flowers fastened to ratan three feet long; these must be held in the hands of the ladies, making a complete network of flowers. The eyes should be directed straight forward, countenance pleasant. The lights for this piece are as follows: Just as the curtain begins to rise, a green fire should be gradually thrown on to the stage, and slowly moved off; at the moment it is leaving the picture, a red light steals over the faces of the performers; this shade vanishes in the same manner, and a purple light appears. This will give a happy effect, and can be accomplished by burning the fires in large boxes placed on pivots at the side of the stage, and by turning them at the proper time the different colors can be thrown on the stage; a few of the side or footlights may be burned at the same time, so that when the colored lights are leaving the stage, the figures will still be seen. Music accompanying the tableau, must be soft and plaintive.