Comprise
| Participants [150] | |
| Individuals [2] | |
| Forerunner [Einschreier] | Out-crier [Ausschreier] |
| Pantomime Actors [6] | Musicians [10] |
| Doctor Faustus | Ten Pipers |
| An Apprentice | |
| Lucifer | Symbolic Group [22] |
| Two Devils | Doctors [8] |
| Helena | Priests [4] |
| Artists [9] | |
| Melancholia [1] | |
| Citizens of Nüremberg [110] | |
| Men and Women [70] | |
| Apprentices [40] | |
THEME
On a street of Nüremberg, in their Shrovetide festival, a band of Apprentices enact, on a wheeled stage, a pantomime scene from an early version of “Doctor Faustus.” Time: Sixteenth century.
ACTION
At Prospero’s final words in Act I, the playing of pipes is heard at the right Interlude Gates, where enter a band of Apprentices, accompanying a wheeled street-stage, drawn by donkeys with bells and set with a three-fold scene of Earth, Heaven, and Hell. Some of the Apprentices are masked, some disguised as fools. They enter, singing an old German folk song, and march to the centre of the ground-circle (between the altar and the south entrance), where the stage pauses. Before them has hastened a forerunner (Einschreier), blowing a horn and shouting: “Schauspieler! Doctor Faustus!”
Along with them, Pipers accompany their singing. Behind them follow folk of Nüremberg, gaping peasants and merry-making young people.
From the left gate, meanwhile [in obscurer light], enters a graver group, clad symbolically as Doctors of Learning, Priests, and Artists, accompanying another wheeled vehicle, the stage of which is wholly curtained from view.
These stop at some distance from the former group, and look on from a place of shadow.
And now, where the first stage has paused in a place of brighter glow, the Actors appear and begin their pantomime.