This set of pictures
is suggested by Mrs. Kate Douglas Wiggin's
story of The Birds Christmas Carol. Each picture should be preceded by
descriptions from the book; these are indicated
by the number of the page in the volume.
DIRECTIONS.—A good
reader must be chosen, who can bring
out the light and shade in the story—one
who can make the listeners feel the pathos
of Carol's brief, helpful existence and
the contrasting homely humor of "the
Ruggleses in the rear." A reading-desk
and lamp must stand below the platform,
and the audience-room be left in darkness.
The reader will give the signal for the
opening and closing of the curtains,
pausing long enough for a full recognition
of the scene. As a repetition of a tableau
is often more successful than its initial
effort, the performers should be on the
alert, prepared to give a second view.
The characters in the
story call for six young people to represent
Mr. Bird, Mrs. Bird, the Grandmother,
Physician, Mrs. Ruggles, and Uncle Jack,
and fourteen children to take the parts
of Donald, Hugh, Paul, Carol, Sarah Maud,
Peoria, Cornelius, Elly, Kitty, Peter,
Clem, Larry, Susan, and the boy singer.
The first hymn, "Carol,
Brothers, Carol," is to be sung behind
the curtains, just before they are drawn
for the second picture. A harp, violin,
and triangle would assist the piano in
making an orchestral effect. A solo voice
supplies the closing air, "My Ain Countree." The
piano may be played very softly whenever
the reader pauses and the tableaux are
shown.
It is important that
the arrangements for each scene be made
in absolute quietness, with systematic
forethought, else the attention of the
listeners will be distracted from the
reading.
If a Christmas tree for
the entire school is to close the entertainment,
it should be in readiness at the rear
of the platform, concealed by a curtain.
In the sixth picture the tree appears,
to illustrate the story, and remains
lighted through the evening.) |
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