A Pantomime

By Holland Hudson

PROLOGUE.

[The curtain rises on a plain drop curtain. The Maker of Sounds enters with his arms full of instruments, crosses the scene and sits with his back against one side of the proscenium, outside the curtain line. He tries out all his instruments, wind, string, percussion and "traps." He yawns. He becomes impatient and raps on the stage.]

Cymbal CrashThe lights go out
The drop is lifted in the darkness
Cymbal CrashThe lights are turned on

SCENE I.

[The Wazir's garden. Discovered left to right, the Nubian, standing with folded arms, the Vizier, seated at the chess table, playing with the Wazir. At the other side of the stage, the Princess, her attendant, her two slaves. All stand motionless until set in action by the Maker of Sounds.]

The MusicThe Pantomime, etc.
Tap—on Chinese wood blockNubian unfolds his arms
TapHe salaams
TapResumes original pose
TapVizier moves a chessman
TapWazir moves a chessman
TapVizier moves a chessman
TapWazir picks up snuff-box
TapOpens it
TapOffers Vizier snuff
TapVizier takes a pinch
Sand blocksSniffs it
Drum crashVizier sneezes
Drum crashSneezes again
No soundSneezes again
Nubian sneezes synchronously with Vizier's paroxysms
TapVizier returns snuff-box
TapWazir puts it away
BellPrincess yawns
TapSignals her attendant
TapAttendant picks up telescope
TapHands it to Princess
Wind instrumentPrincess uses telescope
[The middle portion of the back drop is lifted to show the "Distance" in which the Shepherd is discovered piping for the Goat's dancing.]
Stringed instrumentThe Shepherd sees the Princess, stops piping, and declares his adoration across the distance. He beckons her to join him.
Princess promises to do so.
[The lifted portion of the drop is lowered again. The "Distance" vanishes.]
TapPrincess signals to her retinue
TapAttendant relays the signal
TapSlaves stoop.
TapLift the hope chests to their shoulders
Bass chord on stringed instrumentPrincess and retinue take one step downstage
Treble chordAll lean forward, watching Wazir
Drum crashWazir and Vizier stand up
Drum crashThey glare at Princess
Tap on wood blockThey sit
Bass chordVizier yawns
Bass chordWazir yawns
Bass chordNubian yawns
Bass chordVizier nods
Bass chordWazir nods
Bass chordNubian drops on one knee
Treble chordPrincess and retinue lean forward
Bass chordThey take one step
[A continuation of this business takes them off at the left]
The lights go out
Cymbal crash [In the darkness. Princess and retinue cross to right of stage, ready for Scene II]
The plain drop is lowered
Cymbal crashThe lights come up

SCENE II.

Tambourine jinglesGhurri-Wurri discovered above at center, with his dark glasses pushed up on his forehead, counting his money.
Tap on piece of crockeryHe finds a bad coin
Sand blocksBites it
Tap crockeryThrows it away
Begins the Princess rhythms on Chinese wood blockHears the Princess and retinue approaching
[Telegraphically expressed it is ... ... ... ... Musically, accented triplets, common time, presto]He pulls glasses over his eyes
He grovels
Princess rhythm continuesPrincess and retinue enter from the right
They pass by Ghurri-Wurri without pause
Drum crashGhurri-Wurri runs ahead and prostrates himself before the Princess
TapPrincess' retinue halts
TapPrincess signals to attendant
TapAttendant signals to nearest slave
TapSlave proffers chest
Tap, Tap, TapAttendant opens it, takes coin, closes it
TapGives coin to Princess
Tap on crockeryPrincess drops coin in beggar's hand
Princess rhythmPrincess and retinue exit at the left
Begin drum roll
pp. cresc. to ff.		Ghurri-Wurri looks at coin, scrambles to his feet, looks after Princess, shakes his fists, starts to the right, turns, shakes his fist again, exits at right, raging
Cymbal crashLights out
In the darkness Ghurri-Wurri crosses to left of stage, ready for Scene III
The drop is lifted
Cymbal crashLights up