Section 4 of 12 - Table of Contents
ANITA. Oh, it's the grandest secret I ever had in all-a my life. I
will not tell a soul that he is-a coming. It will be a Christmas
surprise, and when I get to the beeg city of New York in America, I'll
always remember this great-a beeg, nice-a secret about old Santa Claus
and his nice leetla boy, Jack Frost.
JACK FROST. What are you going to do when you get to America?
ANITA. I am going to dance. My uncle, Pedro Spanilli, he haba de
grind-organ. Until last-a month he had-a de nice-a monkey, named Mr.
Jocko, but last-a month Mr. Jocko he die, and my uncle, Pedro
Spanilli, he send for me to take-a his place.
JACK FROST. Take the monkey's place?
ANITA. Yes, sir. I'm going to go round with my uncle and hold out my
tambourine, so! (_Poses and holds out tambourine._) And then I will-a
collect the pennies, just like-a Mr. Jocko used to do.
JACK FROST (_mocking her_). I suppose you are going to wear a leetla
red cap and jump up and down this way (_imitates a monkey_), and say,
"Give-a de monk de cent!"
ANITA (_laughing_). Oh, no. I'm going to sing the leetla song, and
dance the leetla dance, so! (_Hums and dances, or a song may be
introduced at this point by_ ANITA.) Then, when I'm finished, I go to
the kind leetla boy, Jack Frost, and hold out my tambourine, so!
(_Does so._) And maybe he drops a nickel in my tambourine. Eh? Does
he?
JACK FROST (_sighs, then drops a nickel in tambourine_). Yes, I guess
he does. And you just wait till tomorrow morning, Anita, and I'll give
you the finest Christmas present on the Atlantic Ocean.
ANITA. And you must not forget the leetla Dutch twins, and my cousin
Tomasso, and Hulda and Meeny and Sergius and Ah Goo and Sano San and
Needla and Biddy Mary and Paddy Mike and all the rest.
JACK FROST. Whew! That's a big order. But we won't forget a single
soul on Christmas Day. And now I've got to go and put the finishing
touches on--you know what! (_Goes behind curtains that conceal the
Christmas tree._)
ANITA (_looks around_). Why, he's gone.
JACK FROST (_sticking his head out of the curtains_). The sun has set,
it's out of sight, so little Jack Frost will say good-night!
(_Disappears back of curtains._)
ANITA. Good-night, Jolly Jack Frost, good-night. Oh, it's the most
wonderful secret in all the world. And won't the leetla children be
glad to know that old Santa Claus has not forgotten them. He said that
Santa Claus was coming tonight in the air ship, and it's got to be
true, it's just got to be true.
_Enter_ TOMASSO _from R., carrying violin._
TOMASSO. Anita, if you don't hurry you'll not get any supper at all.
It's most eight o'clock.
ANITA. Oh, I don't care for supper, Tomasso. I could-a not eat. I'm
too much excited to eat.
TOMASSO. What make-a you so excited, Anita?
ANITA. Why, tonight--(pauses as she remembers her promise) Oh, that I
cannot tell; it's a secret.
TOMASSO. What is the secret?
ANITA. If I told-a you, Tomasso, then it would no longer be a secret.
TOMASSO. You should-a not have the secrets from me, Anita. I am your
cousin, also--I am the head of the family.
ANITA. But I made the promise not to tell.
TOMASSO. Who you make-a the promise to?
ANITA. I promised Jack--(_hesitates_) I mean, I make-a de promise to
someone.
TOMASSO. To Jack! Who is this-a Jack, Anita?
ANITA. That is part of the secret. Listen, Tomasso, tomorrow morning
you shall know everything. Early in the morning shall I tell-a you my
secret. That will be my Christmas present to you.
TOMASSO. All right. I'll wait. Oh, see, Anita, the moon is coming up.
(_Points to L._) Just like-a big, round-a silver ball.
ANITA. Let us stay here and watch the moon, Tomasso.
TOMASSO. You'd better go and get your supper. Those leetla Dutch twins
are eating everything on the table. I think they'd eat the table
itself if it was-a not nailed to the deck. Hurry, Anita!
ANITA. I go. (_Crosses to door at R., then turns toward him_). It's a
awful good-a secret, Tomasso. (_Laughs and runs out at R._)
TOMASSO (_looks off L._). Ah, the great, grand-a lady moon. She looks
at me, I look at her. Maybe she'll like a leetla serenade.
(_Simple violin solo by_ TOMASSO, _accompanied by hidden organ or
piano. After he has been playing sometime, the other children come
softly in from the R. and group around the stage. Note: If possible,
get a boy for_ TOMASSO'S _part who can play the violin; if not,
introduce a song at this point. "Santa Lucia," found in most school
collections, would prove effective either as a vocal solo or as a
violin solo._)
BIDDY MARY. Sure, that's beautiful. It takes me back again to dear
ould Ireland where the River Shannon flows.
HULDA. What do you do in Ireland the night before Christmas, Biddy
Mary?
MEENY. Do you have a Christmas tree like we do in Germany?
BIDDY MARY. We do not. We don't have any tree at all, at all.
PADDY MIKE. And we don't get many presents. But it's a fine time we
have for all that. Instead of getting presents, we have the fun of
giving presents--and that's the finest thing in all the world, so it
is, to make the other fellow happy. Sure, I just love to give
presents.
KLINKER. You can give me some if you want to.
SCHWILLIE. Und me also some.
BIDDY MARY. But where would we be getting presents out here in the
middle of the ocean? In dear ould Ireland sure it's a fine time we're
after having on Christmas Day.
PADDY MIKE. It is that. With the fiddles playing and the dancers
dancing and the fine suppers upon the table.
SERGIUS. In Russia we always set a table in front of the window and
put a fine linen cloth on it. (_Produces white lace-edged cloth._)
Here is the cloth, but we have no window.
HULDA. Here, use this box as a table. (_Indicates a large box at rear
C._) Now, let us put the cloth on, so! (HULDA _and_ SERGIUS _put cloth
on the box._)
BIDDY MARY. The night before Christmas we always put a big candle, all
gay with ribbons, in the window to welcome the Christ child.
PADDY MIKE. Here is the candle. (_Places it on box at rear C._) Now
I'll light it. (_Lights candle._)
TOMASSO. We do that also in Italy. And we put a leetla picture of the
Christ child on the table. (_Puts colored picture of Madonna and Child
back of the candle._)
BIDDY MARY. On Christmas Day it's the fine old tales we're after
hearing in Ireland, all about the wonderful star that shone so bright
that it turned night into day, and led the Wise Men all the way to
where a little Babe in the manger lay.
PADDY MIKE. And all the angels sang above of peace on earth, good will
and love.
BIDDY MARY.
The shepherds wandering on the hill,
Beheld the star and followed till
They saw the Child and heard the song,
The angels sang the whole night long.
SERGIUS. May the spirit of Christmas enter every heart tonight, making
all the world one big, happy family, no rich, no poor, no high, no
low, all brothers and sisters, all children of the Lord on high!
MEENY. Maybe good old Santa Claus will come after all. Vell, if he
does I want to be ready for him. (_Produces two very large red
stockings, made for the occasion._) Come, Yakob and Hans and Mieze,
let us hang up our stockings here under the burning candle. (_They
hang up the four pair of stockings._)
NEELDA (_places a wreath of holly on the table_). Christ was born on
the Christmas Day, wreathe the holly, twine the bay! Light and Life
and Joy is He, the Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary!
TOMASSO. Meeny and Yakob and Hans and leetla Mieze have hung up their
stockings for the good-a Saint Nicholas, but in Italy we set out our
shoes, so! And we always get them full of presents. (_Places small
pair of wooden shoes on table._)
MEENY. I like stockings much better than shoes already, because the
stockings can stretch yet, und if they stretch real, real wide out
maybe we can get a baby piano or a automobile in our stockings. Jah,
stockings is mooch better als shoes.
HULDA. Here is my beautiful star. (_Produces tinsel star._) That will
remind us of the Star of Bethlehem that led the three Wise Men across
the hills and plains of Judea unto the little manger where,
surrounded by cattle and oxen, amid the straw, the Lord of Heaven was
born on Christmas Eve.
SCHWILLIE. Und all the angels sang, "Peace on earth, good will to
men," didn't they, Klinker?
KLINKER. Und all the shepherds heard them, and they followed the star
and came to the manger to see the little Baby.
MEENY. Let us all sit down here in front of the candle and the star,
and see if old Santa Claus has forgotten us already. It's almost time
for him to be coming. (_All sit down._)
ALL (_sing_).
THE TIME IS NEAR.
[Music illustration:
1. The time is near, the time is near,
San-ta Claus will soon be here!
All the world is sweet-ly sleep-ing,
An-gels now their watch are keep-ing,
And the moon shines clear,
And the moon shines clear.
2. Be-fore the dawn, be-fore the dawn,
Saint Nick will have come and gone!
Now with pa-tience we'll a-wait him,
Hop-ing noth-ing may be-late him,
On his jour-ney long,
On his jour-ney long.]
HULDA. Oh, I do hope Santa Claus will come and visit us tonight. But
of course he cannot go every place. Some children have to be left out.
KLINKER. Yes, that's so; but I hope it ain't us. Don't you, Schwillie
Willie Winkum?
SCHWILLIE. Sure, I do. I wish old Santa would hurry up and come,
'cause the old Sandman is here already. I'm getting awful sleepy.
KLINKER. Me--I'm getting awful sleepy, too. (_Stretches and yawns._)
TOMASSO. I wonder what has become of Anita? She said she had a
wonderful secret that was-a verra, verra grand.
MEENY. A secret, Tomasso? (_Goes to him._)
TOMASSO (_standing at C._). Yes, a great, beeg, grand-a secret.
BIDDY MARY (_goes to him and takes his L. arm_). Oh, what is it,
Tomasso?
MEENY (_taking his R. arm_). Yes, Tomasso, tell us vot it is already.
BIDDY MARY (_turning_ TOMASSO _around to face her_). Sure, if there's
anything on earth I _do_ love, it's a secret.
HULDA (_and the other girls, surrounding_ TOMASSO). Yes, Tomasso, tell
us the secret; we'll never tell anyone.
MEENY (_pulling him around to face her_). Sure we won't. Nice Tomasso,
tell us vot it is yet.
TOMASSO (_hesitates_). Well, I----
BIDDY MARY (_pulling him around to face her_). Now, you tell _me_,
Tomasso. I never tell any secrets at all, at all.
TOMASSO. Well, I----
MEENY (_pulls him around again_). If you're going to tell it, I want
to hear every word. I never want to miss noddings no times.
BIDDY MARY (_pulls him back_). Neither do I.
HULDA. Neither do I.
MEENY. Neither do any of us.
KLINKER. I don't want to miss nothing neither.
SCHWILLIE. No, und I don't neither.
ALL. Now, what is the secret, Tomasso?
TOMASSO (_loudly_). It is not my secret. It is Anita's secret.
ALL. Well, what is Anita's secret.
TOMASSO. She wouldn't tell me.
ALL (_turn away very much disappointed_). Oh!
TOMASSO. She's promised to tell us all in the morning. She said that
would be her Christmas present to us--to tell us the secret. (_All sit
or recline around the stage. Lower the lights._)
SERGIUS. It seems so strange to spend Christmas Eve away out here in
the middle of the ocean.
KLINKER (_almost asleep_). Wake me up, Hulda, just as soon as Santa
Claus comes.
BIDDY MARY (_at R._). Sure I think the Sandman has been after spillin'
sand in all of our eyes. I'm that sleepy I can't say a word at all, at
all.
SANO SAN. They're putting out all the lights. Here, Sergius, hang my
little lantern in front of the candle.
AH GOO. Allee samee hang mine. (SANO SAN _and_ AH GOO _each give their
lanterns to_ SERGIUS, _who lights them and hangs them on the table.
Note: Nails must be put in the table at R. and L. corners facing front
for these lanterns._)
SERGIUS. I'm going to stretch out here and take a little nap.
(_Reclines on floor._) Be sure and wake me up, Hulda, just as soon as
you hear the bells on his reindeer.
TOMASSO (_yawns_). I wonder what has become of Anita?
HULDA (_stretches_). I believe I'm getting sleepy, too.
OTHERS. So are all of us.
BIDDY MARY. We're all noddin', nid, nid noddin', sure I think it's
time we were all of us fast asleep.
ALL (_sing sleepily_).
"WE'RE ALL NODDIN'."
[Music illustration:
1. We are all nod-din', nid, nid nod-din',
We are all nod-din', and drop-ping off to sleep.
So see San-ta Claus we've all done our best,
[Transcriber's Note: probably should be "To see"]
But we're aw-ful-ly sleep-y, so we'll take a rest.
2. We are all nod-din', nid, nid nod-din',
We are all nod-din', and drop-ping off to sleep.
It's aw-ful-ly late, we'll no lon-ger de-lay,
But ride with the Sand-man, a-way and a-way.]
(ALL _are sound asleep. Stage is dark._)
KLINKER (_talking in his sleep_). Noddin', nid, nid noddin'.
SCHWILLIE (talking in his sleep). Dropping off to sleep, ain't we,
Klinker?
_Soft, mysterious music._ ANITA _dances in from R. She dances around
the stage, keeping time to the music and bending over the little
sleepers._
ANITA. Asleep! Every last one of them is verra sound asleep. Meeny and
Biddy Mary, and Sergius and Tomasso and the leetla Dutch twins and
all! (_Goes to curtain at rear._) Jack Frost! Jolly Jack Frost! Come-a
quick, come-a quick! They're all asleep.
JACK FROST (_sticks his head out of the curtains_). Hello, what is it?
ANITA. It is Anita. The leetla children are all here and sound asleep.
JACK FROST (_coming down to her_). And so was I. They sang a song
about noddin', nid, nid noddin', and I just went to sleep myself. I
dreamed I was hunting a polar bear way up by the North Pole.
(_Yawns._) I'm still awfully sleepy.
ANITA. I didn't know that you ever went to sleep.
JACK FROST. You bet I do. That's the one thing I've got against my
daddy's Christmas trip every year. It wakes us all up right in the
middle of the night.
ANITA. The middle of the night? What _do_ you mean?
JACK FROST. Middle of the north pole night. If it wasn't for Christmas
we could go to bed about half past October and sleep until a quarter
of May, but ma thinks we ought to help pa and then wait up until he
comes home. My, I'm sleepy! Aren't you?
ANITA. Oh, no, no! I'm verra too much excited to sleep. It's all about
my secret. Are you really sure he is coming?
JACK FROST. Of course he is, and it's almost time he was here now.
It's nearly Christmas Day. Look way up there in the sky. You don't see
anything that looks like an air ship, do you?
ANITA (_looking up and off at R._). No, I cannot see a single thing.
JACK FROST (_sees table at rear_). Oh, look here! The children have
lighted a candle for him. That's just fine. It always pleases him. And
see; here's a picture and a wreath of holly and the star of Bethlehem.
And stockings and shoes all in a row.
ANITA (_looking up and off R._). I can't see a thing.
JACK FROST. Here's a telescope. Look through that. (_Takes home-made
telescope from his barrel._) Now do you see anything?
ANITA. Oh, no; now I cannot even see the stars or the moon.
JACK FROST. Of course you can't. You are looking through the wrong
end. Turn it around.
ANITA (_looks up and off R. through telescope_). Oh, now I can see the
stars. And, oh, look! I see a leetla, teeny-weeny thing way, way
off--far up in the sky. Look, Jack Frost, is that the air ship?
(_Fast music, played softly._)
JACK FROST (_looks through the telescope_). Yes, I believe it is.
ANITA (_dances wildly about the stage_). Oh, he's coming, he's
coming. I'm going to get to see Santa Claus! Is it not wonderful? I'm
going to see him. Let me look. (_Takes telescope._) Oh, it's getting
bigger and _bigger_ and BIGGER!
_Sleigh bells heard outside at R., far away in the distance._
JACK FROST (_capering around_). Hurray! daddy's coming! daddy's
coming!
ANITA. Now I can hear the bells. Oh, it's coming closer and _closer_
and CLOSER. Look out, it's going to hit the boat! (_Small toy air ship
flies across the stage at rear, with tiny lights twinkling in it.
Stretch a wire across rear of stage and high up, for the toy to run
on._)
JACK FROST. He flew right by us.
ANITA. Maybe he didn't see the boat. Oh, now he isn't coming at all.
JACK FROST (_looking out at L._). Yes, he is. He's landed right over
there. Here he comes; here he comes! (_Music and bells louder and
louder._)
ANITA (_runs to L._). Here we are, Santa Claus. This is the place.
Come in. Merry Christmas, Santa Claus, merry Christmas!
_Loud fast music. Enter_ SANTA CLAUS _from L._
SANTA CLAUS. Hello, there--where are you? It's so dark I can't see a
single thing.
JACK FROST. Hello, daddy; merry Christmas.
SANTA CLAUS (_shaking hands with him_). Hello yourself. Merry
Christmas to you, too. Are you all ready for me?
JACK FROST. Yes, it's all ready. The magical tree is just waiting for
your touch to turn into a real Christmas tree.
ANITA. Oh, we're going to have a real Christmas tree.
SANTA CLAUS. Hello, who's this young person?
JACK FROST. This is Anita.
SANTA CLAUS. And why isn't she sound asleep like the rest of the
children?
JACK FROST. She's such a good little girl that I told her she could
stay up with me and wait until you came.
SANTA CLAUS (_laughs_). Oh, ho; so you've made a hit with my boy, Jack
Frost, have you? Well, if that's the case, I guess you can stay.
ANITA. But all of the children would like to see you, Santa Claus.
See, they've prepared the candle and the wreath of holly and the star
of Bethlehem all for you. There's Sergius and Tomasso and Hulda and
Meeny and Hans and Yakob and Neelda and Ah Goo and Sano San and Mieze
and the leetla Dutch twins, Klinker and Schwillie Willie Winkum.
They've all been awfully good children. And Biddy Mary and Paddy Mike
they brought the candle. They're good, too.
SANTA CLAUS. Hurry, Jack, and fill up the shoes and stockings.
JACK FROST (_filling them from the sack_). Yes, daddy, I'm hurrying.
SANTA CLAUS. It's just two minutes till Christmas morning. I've had a
hard night's work and I think I'll just take a little vacation here in
the steerage.
ANITA. Oh, Santa Claus, may I wake up all the leetla children and let
them see you?
SANTA CLAUS. Yes, just as soon as you hear the chimes announcing the
birth of Christmas Day.
ANITA. And don't you have any other place to go this year?
SANTA CLAUS. I hope not. Here I am in the middle of the ocean and my
air ship is just about played out. Jack, dump everything out of the
sack and we'll give the little immigrants the jolliest kind of a
Christmas. I'm not going to lug all of those toys and candy and things
back to the North Pole again.
JACK FROST (_empties sack on floor_). Here they are, daddy.
SANTA CLAUS. Now, where's the tree?
JACK FROST (_goes to rear of the stage and removes the curtains that
have been concealing the dazzling Christmas tree._). There she is.
Isn't she a beauty?
ANITA. Oh, it's the greatest, most grand-a tree in all the world.
(_Faint chimes are heard in the distance._)
JACK FROST. There are the chimes. It is Christmas Day. Merry
Christmas, daddy; merry Christmas, Anita. Christmas Day is here.
ANITA (_dancing around_). Merry Christmas, Jack Frost! Merry
Christmas, Santa Claus! Merry Christmas, everybody! Merry Christmas to
all the world. Wake up, Hulda! Wake up! (_Shakes her._)
JACK FROST. Wake up, Paddy Mike and Sergius! Wake up! Merry Christmas!
SANTA CLAUS. Wake up, Meeny and Biddy. It's Christmas morning. And you
two little shavers, Klinker and Schwillie Willie Winkum, wake up and
give Santa Claus a good, old hug!
(_The children all awaken. Rub eyes, stretch, etc._)
HULDA. Oh, he's come, he's come, he's come! (_Runs and hugs_ SANTA
CLAUS.)
SCHWILLIE. Me, too. (_Hugs him._) I said he'd come, didn't I, Klinker?
(_Lights all on full._)
KLINKER (_hugging_ SANTA CLAUS). Sure you did. And me, too, didn't I,
Schwillie Willie Winkum?
MEENY. Oh, see the tree! The beautiful, beautiful Christmas tree.
TOMASSO. And my leetla shoes are full of candy and toys.
PADDY MIKE. Now, let's be all after giving three cheers for old Santa
Claus. (_The cheers are given._)
ANITA (_bringing_ JACK FROST _forward_). And this is the leetla Jolly
Jack Frost.
PADDY MIKE. Then three cheers for the leetla Jolly Jack Frost. (_The
cheers are given._)
ANITA (_at C. with_ JACK FROST). This was my Christmas secret. Santa
Claus and the air ship and the Christmas tree and jolly Jack Frost and
everything. This was the secret.
PADDY MIKE. Now all of yeez give three cheers for Anita's secret.
(_The cheers are given. Folk dance may be introduced. All sing
Christmas carol as the curtain falls._)
CURTAIN.
REMARKS ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE PLAY.
THE SCENERY.
The stage should be set to represent the steerage of a large
ocean-going vessel. A good elaborate set may be arranged with very
little expense by following the diagram. The back drop should be of
light blue with a few cumulus clouds in white. The water line should
be about one-fourth from the bottom, and from this line downward the
scene should be darker blue, with white waves.
The background may be made from canvas or paper, as desired. A good
effect has been produced by covering frames with tissue paper of the
desired shades, the clouds and the water lines being cut from white
paper and pasted on.
A railing runs across rear of stage. This railing is made of wood,
with a tennis net serving for the wiring. Round life-savers are cut
from paper, painted and attached to the railing. The ventilator and
hatchways may be made from brown bristol board.
A large Christmas tree, lighted and decorated, stands at rear L. This
is concealed by curtains.
A square box or table stands at rear C. Several barrels and boxes are
at left front, and a box is at right front. A large barrel stands at
left of center near the rear.
[Illustration]
PROPERTIES.
Woolen stocking and knitting needles for Meeny.
Potatoes, knife, bowl for Biddy Mary.
Jack-stones for Sergius.
Tambourine for Anita.
Nickel (coin) for Jack Frost.
Violin for Tomasso.
White, lace-edged table cloth for Sergius.
Large candle decorated with red ribbons for Paddy Mike.
Bright picture of Virgin and Child for Tomasso.
Two large red stockings for Meeny.
Extra stockings for Yakob, Hans and Mieze.
Wreath of holly for Neelda.
Small wooden shoes for Tomasso.
Tinsel star for Hulda.
Telescope for Jack Frost. Made from a pasteboard roll covered with
black cloth.
Toy air ship on a wire, to sail across stage at rear.
Pack of toys for Santa Claus.
Sleigh bells for Santa.
Chimes heard outside.
COSTUMES AND SUGGESTIONS.
SANTA CLAUS--High boots. Red or brown coat or mackinaw, trimmed with
fur (or cotton, dotted to imitate ermine fur). Cap to match coat.
String of bells around neck. Pack of toys. White hair, mustache and
long, white beard. Rosy cheeks. Do not wear a false-face, as this
often frightens little children and makes the character seem unreal.
When there are little children in the cast, their belief in Santa
Claus must not be disturbed and the adult portraying the character
need not attend the general rehearsals. The high boots may be shaped
from black oil-cloth and drawn on over black shoes. Use a pillow or
two to give an ample girth.
JOLLY JACK FROST (aged 8 or 9)--A jolly, little chubby-faced boy who
can memorize and deliver a long part. White stockings and shoes.
Canton flannel suit of white, trimmed with long points cut from cloth,
to represent icicles. Long-pointed cap of white, coming down around
back of head and forming a long-pointed collar in front. The top point
should be wired into position. Face and hands are powdered very white.
Put small dabs of mucilage on the costume and sprinkle here and there
with diamond dust powder. Trim the costume with bits of cotton to
represent snow.
ANITA (aged 8 or 9)--Dark hair and complexion. Black slippers with red
rosettes or bows on them. White stockings. Green skirt. Small dark red
apron, edged with white, black and green. Black spencer waist laced in
front showing the white underwaist. Puffed sleeves falling to elbows.
Green and red bows on elbows. Red silk handkerchief laid loosely over
the shoulders. Gold beads around neck. Large earrings may be attached
with court plaster. The headdress is a white oblong cloth, about six
inches wide and about eighteen inches long. This cloth is gayly
decorated with bands of red, green and black ribbons and the part on
the head is padded with a small square of pasteboard. Tambourine
decorated with red, black and green ribbons. A yellow silk
handkerchief may replace the Sicilian headdress above described.
HULDA (aged 10)--A blonde girl with hair in two long braids. Wooden
shoes, white stockings. Several very full underskirts. Long skirt of
dark blue, made very full around the bottom. This skirt is patched
with squares of dark red and striped goods. Large blue gingham apron
edged with stripes of dark red. White waist. Blue bodice of same
material as skirt. Small white cap fitting close to head in back, but
turned back in front with points over each ear. Face round and rosy.
If the wooden shoes are not easily obtained, fair substitutes may be
made by covering an old pair of shoes with cream colored oil-cloth.
SERGIUS (aged 9)--Black oil-cloth leggings to knees. Dark trousers.
Long Russian blouse of dark green coming nearly to knees and belted in
at waist with black oil-cloth belt. Blouse edged with dark fur. Dark
green cap trimmed with dark fur.
MEENY (aged 7)--Full white waist. Black bodice laced with red. Rather
short red skirt, with black stripes sewed around bottom. White lace
apron edged with red and black. White mob cap, puffed high in front.
Red and black strings on cap which are tied under her chin. She
carries a gray woolen sock, half finished, and knitting needles.
Wooden shoes if possible.
BIDDY MARY--Old shoes and ragged stockings. Old-fashioned dress,
rather short, of plaid gingham. Worn gingham apron. Little square
shawl of red and black checked goods, crossed on breast.
Old-fashioned, little black bonnet tied under her chin. She carries a
pan of potatoes and a knife. Her age is about 8.
PADDY MIKE--Small boy of 7, dressed in a man's suit, cut down in a
clumsy manner. Green vest. Black swallow-tail coat. Little plug hat,
made by covering a pasteboard form with black cloth. Shoes, old and
worn, and many, many sizes too large for him.
TOMASSO--Black slippers, white stockings. Red and yellow ribbons wound
around legs. Black knee breeches and zouave jacket. Striped sport
shirt. Red and yellow bows at knees and on shoulders. Red handkerchief
knotted loosely at throat. Black felt hat, turned up side, gayly
decorated with red and yellow ribbons. On his second entrance he
carries a violin. A dark complexioned boy aged about 9.
THE DUTCH TWINS (aged 4 or 5)--Hair in Buster Brown style. Very full
blue trousers extending from under the arms to ankles. These are made
of blue denim and patched with large vari-colored patches. Wooden
shoes. Striped shirts. Dutch caps made of dark cloth, with a peak in
front and a crown about six inches high. The twins should be dressed
exactly alike and look as much alike as possible. Get chubby little
fellows and thoroughly rehearse them in their part; in fact they must
go over it so much that it must come as second nature to them on the
night of the performance. Much of the humor in the play depends on the
little Dutch twins. When they walk let them take long striding steps.
Use frequent gestures, nods, etc., in their dialogue, but be sure and
have every movement exactly the same at each rehearsal. These parts
are not difficult if the little actors are well trained, and their
success on the night of the performance will amply repay the trouble
spent in their proper coaching.
NEELDA--A little brunette girl, aged 4 or 5. Yellow sateen skirt and
zouave jacket, trimmed with coarse black lace. Broad red sash tied on
the side. White baby waist. Black lace mantilla over head, and hair
dressed high with a high comb. Red rose over left ear.
AH GOO--A chubby little Chinese boy of 5. White stockings, black
slippers, white pajamas, slanting eyebrows, small round white cap and
long pig-tail made of black yarn. Carries Chinese kite.
YAKOB--Chubby boy of 6, dressed similar to twins, but in contrasting
colors. Wears yarn stocking cap. Wooden shoes.
HANS--Tall, thin boy of 9. Dressed similar to the twins, but in brown.
Tall black cap similar to those worn by the twins.
MIEZE--Little girl of 3 or 4, dressed similar to Hulda, but in dark
red and red and white checked gingham.
SANO SAN--Little Japanese girl in kimono and sash. Eyebrows slanting.
Hair dressed high. Chrysanthemums over ears. Carries a paper parasol
or fan.
The Christmas tree is for the whole school and is concealed during the
first part of the play by curtains. If there is to be no tree, all
reference to it may be omitted without injury to the continuity of the
play.
Other songs may be substituted for the songs here given, but these
have proved very successful in several performances of Anita's
Secret.
Prev
Next
All
Printer Friendly Version | Send this page to a friend | Discuss this Book
Your email address is safe with us. View our Privacy policy.
 |
 |
|
|
The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Sections: 50 What's this? Table of Contents |
 FictionNon FictionShort StoriesPoetrySci FiPhilosophyReligionBiography |
VideoSquares.com
