THE MARBLE MAIDEN.
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Paulina.As she lived peerless, So her dead likeness, I do well believe, Excels whatever yet you looked upon Or hand of man done; therefore I kept it Lonely apart; but here it is: prepare To see the life as likely mocked as ever. Still sleep mocked death; behold, and say 'tis well. Winter's Tale. |
Three Female and Eleven Male Figures.
This tableau is taken from Shakspeare's drama, "The Winter's Tale." The scene is that wherein Paulina draws away the curtain and discloses the marble statue. She is addressing Leontes, who is seen in the foreground. At the left of the stage, a group of five gentlemen and one lady is seen; on the opposite side of the stage is another group of five gentlemen; all of which are in position, so that a profile view is exhibited.
The scenery of this piece consists of a curtain passing across the stage, three feet from the back end. The curtain described in the tableau of the "[Dancing Girl in Repose]" will answer for this scene, but should be allowed to hang straight from the top, in place of being looped up at the sides. Arranged in this way, it will leave an open space of five or six feet in the centre. The background is seen through this opening, and is to be festooned with wreaths of evergreens and flowers. Close up to the back wall is placed a platform, made in two pieces, the first being four feet square and one foot high. On this rests a second platform, three feet square and one foot high. At the right side of the upper platform is placed a round pedestal, three feet high and one foot in diameter; this has a cap and base, and can be made of card-board, and covered with white marble paper. The platform is to be covered with black marble paper.
By the side of the pedestal stands the statue. The lady who personates this figure should be rather slim, of medium height, good features, and dark hair. Costume consists of a loose, white robe, worn with but few skirts, the sleeves very short, the waist cut low at the neck, the skirt long enough to trail on the platform; the whole covered with white tarleton muslin. Across the shoulders, and tied at the right side, is worn a heavy muslin mantle, trimmed on each edge with white satin ribbon. The hair is arranged in a neat coil, and a small wreath of white leaves encircles the head. These are made of white paper, and fastened to a wire frame. The statue stands perfectly straight at the side of the pedestal, one arm resting on the top, the hand hanging down over the front, while the left arm hangs gracefully at the side. The eyes are directed to the figure of Leontes in the foreground. Pauline, who draws the curtain aside, is costumed in a black silk dress, with a velvet waist, trimmed with bugles, and interspersed with silver spangles. The hair, arranged in a single coil, is decorated with a velvet band, with white paste pin in the centre, from the back of which is fastened a long black lace veil, falling gracefully over the shoulders, and reaching nearly to the floor. She is standing at the right of the curtain, one hand grasping its folds, while the other is extended, and points to the statue. A profile view is had of the figure: the head is slightly turned, the eyes directed to Leontes in the foreground. Leontes' costume consists of a black coat, belted around the waist, black knee breeches and hose, confined with a gold band and showy paste pin. The collar and cuffs of the coat are decorated with deep white lace. A short sword is suspended from the belt; the feet are covered with low shoes, with showy buckles; the head is encircled with a silver band, one inch wide, with a brilliant pin in the centre. Fastened around the neck, and hanging over the shoulders, is a black velvet cape—a small, lady's cape will answer. Position is standing on the extreme front of the stage, with both hands extended above the head, the body thrown back, the feet extended from each other, the back turned to the audience, the head inclined to one side, so that a side view is had of the face, while the eyes are directed to the statue. Behind Leontes stands a tall figure, costumed in a black coat and knee breeches, white hose, knee and shoe buckles, low shoes, waist encircled with a belt, a short cloak thrown over the right shoulder. The other figures are costumed in a similar manner, and stand between Leontes and the side of the stage, and are looking intently at the statue.
Three more gentlemen, costumed in a similar style, occupy positions on the opposite side of the stage, close to the wings. A profile view is had of their figures, while their faces are turned towards the statue. In front of this group stands a young man, with his arm placed around the waist of a young lady who stands at his side, and in such a position that we have almost a back view of them. The lady is costumed in a white dress, cut low at the top, sleeves very short, skirt long, so as to trail ten inches, ornamented with buff ribbon, which should be placed on the bottom of the skirt, around the waist, on the top of the waist, and on the sleeves. Her hair should hang loosely over the shoulders, the head encircled with a string of feldspar or pearl beads. The hands are clasped in front of her bosom, the body inclined forward slightly, the eyes directed towards the statue. The gentleman at her side stands erect. His costume consists of a dark coat, ornamented around the bottom with silver paper, covered with black lace, the sleeves and collar trimmed in the same mode, with an addition of wide white lace cuffs and collar; the breeches are of black cloth, with a band of silver, and buckle at the knee; white hose, low shoes, with buckles, a wide belt around the waist, from which is suspended a long, slim sword. The lights on each side of the background, where the statue is placed, should be quite brilliant. The foreground should receive the rays of light, which should be of medium quantity, from the side of the stage where Leontes stands. Music soft and plaintive.