Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young PeopleMackay, Constance D'Arcy
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Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young People
Mackay, Constance D'Arcy
Pageants; Patriotic plays, American
A white curtain of sheeting, or other similar material. A strong light
placed behind the curtain throws into high relief the figures as they
pass in significant procession. They are shadow silhouettes of a time
long gone, of a race who now are shadows. Care should be taken that
they move in exactly the right space, so that the shadows will not vary
greatly in height or in bulk. First a chieftain passes, wonderful in
feathers. Next a young brave, who, standing alone a moment, tries the
taut string of his bow. Next an Indian maid, with a basket poised on
her head. Then two young braves with fish slung on a pole between them.
Then a group of Indian maidens. An Indian child or two. A squaw with
fagots on her back. Another with a papoose. Then two Indians with a
canoe, representing the portage of a canoe. Then a final group of young
braves. The music, which begins as the chief passes, continues
throughout the procession until the last Indian has passed, then ebbs
and dies, growing fainter and fainter, till it ceases. Mac-Dowell's
"From an Indian Lodge" is suitable for this.
THE COMING OF THE WHITE MAN: TABLEAU
This tableau represents a woodland scene, and is supposed to symbolize
the coming of the Norseman. A young Indian brave, with skins about his
shoulders and hips, his black hair flying, his brown arms barbarically
braceleted, stands poised, listening, and looking at a spot where the
Norsemen are supposed to be making a landing, off stage. With one hand
he shields his eyes. With the other he holds his bow. The tableau
should suggest the wild freedom of an untamed spirit. For music, some
bars of Grieg's Norse airs.
PRINCESS POCAHONTAS
For this pageant episode see page 12 of the Outdoor Arrangement of the
Pageant of Patriots.
PRISCILLA MULLINS SPINNING: TABLEAU
The same woodland setting as has been used for Pocahontas. In the
center of the stage Priscilla and her spinning-wheel. The scene is
outside her dooryard at Plymouth, Mass., in the Spring of 1621. The
tableau should be held a full minute. Appropriate music: Senta's
"Spinning Song"; or Solvig's "Spinning Song" from Grieg's "Peer Gynt
Suite."
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: JOURNEYMAN
CHARACTERS
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, a young printer
ROGER BURCHARD, a Quaker
ELIZABETH BURCHARD, his wife
DEBORAH READ WILLIAM, an inn boy
SCENE: A room in a tavern. Place: Philadelphia. Time, October, 1723.
The room is a private one in the tavern known as The Crooked Billet. It
has a neat, cheerful, welcoming aspect. At left a small fire glimmers
on the brass andirons of a well-kept hearth. A brass kettle rests on a
hob. On the shelf above the hearth candles are alight.
All across the background are a series of small windows curtained in
chintz. By these windows a table set for supper, with a white linen
cloth and delicately sprigged china. Quaint chairs with spindle legs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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