A very successful form of entertainment consists of musical oper-
ettas, the parts being mostly sustained by amateurs. Dramatists can
also get lip a comedy or play and have it acted with music between the
acts. If it is not of the highest literary ability, it can be made up by
plenty of fun and local allusions, which are sure to be appreciated.
Literary parties may be made exceedingly interesting. The lady at
whose house the party is given has a right to select the author from
whom the characters are to be taken. The dressing is to be taken
from the printed description, and the conversation and manner should
accord with it. In short, one must act like an unwritten play. Dra-
matic clubs are agreeable to their members, and less likely to cause
unpleasant rivalries than private plays are. Some clubs read Shake-
speare alone and some devote their time wholly to Dickens, but the
more diversity there is, the least likely the clubs are to tire of it. Few
can hope ever to excel in delineating Shakespeare, but it's a good plan
for social enjoyment and improvement.
A very successful club (known to the writer), was once started by some
young ladies with a view of making home and winter evenings agree-
able to their brothers. A committee was chosen to form a code of
laws. Each one was to subscribe a small sum to purchase the " libret-
tos " of their plays. The following rules were signed by all the mem-
bers :
1. Each member of the club must take his or her turn in choosing a
play, and in giving out the role of characters.
2. Every member must take the character given him and do his best,
5,8 ENTERTAINMENTS.
unless he can exchange with some other member, with the consent of
the one who selected the play.
3. The one who selects the play has a right to the best character.
4. The club shall meet once a week at the houses of members in
alphabetical rotation.
5. Whenever any member is unable to take his part and cannot
attend the meeting, he must provide some one to take his character.
6. No new member can be admitted without the vote of the majo-
rity.
7. Each member must study his or her part well before meeting with
the club. If any two, or several, should have difficult parts together,
they must meet privately and practice them.
At first they merely read the plays ; but soon they partially acted
them, and found them increase in interest thereby. They always had
their little librettos with them ; those who had ready memories rarely
referred to them, or a mere glance would be sufficient. Finally, they
dressed in character and admitted an audience. One will be surprised
to see how much dramatic ability they have, that, though latent now,
if once aroused, bursts forth in full force. It does no harm either, but
gives one grace, ease and self-possession, off as well as on the stage.
An amateur actor or actress may be known by their walk ; they always
come in walking directly on their heels. The first thing to cultivate on
the stage is a graceful carriage. Under the rules given above one may
become familiar with the best plays without wearying of them, and
each member has equal opportunity of consulting his own taste. Per-
sons who read French and German will find this an admirable way of
learning to converse with ease in either of those languages.
PREPARING THE STAGE AND ACCESSORIES.
Page 51
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
A very successful form of entertainment consists of musical operettas, the parts being mostly sustained by amateurs. Dramatists can also get lip a comedy or play and have it acted with music between the acts. If it is not of the highest literary ability, it can be made up by plenty of fun and local allusions, which are sure to be appreciated. Literary parties may be made exceedingly interesting. The lady at whose house the party is given has a right to select the author from whom the characters are to be taken. The dressing is to be taken from the printed description, and the conversation and manner should accord with it. In short, one must act like an unwritten play. Dramatic clubs are agreeable to their members, and less likely to cause unpleasant rivalries than private plays are. Some clubs read Shakespeare alone and some devote their time wholly to Dickens, but the more diversity there is, the least likely the clubs are to tire of it. Few can hope ever to excel in delineating Shakespeare, but it's a good plan for social enjoyment and improvement.
A very successful club (known to the writer), was once started by some young ladies with a view of making home and winter evenings agreeable to their brothers. A committee was chosen to form a code of laws. Each one was to subscribe a small sum to purchase the " librettos " of their plays. The following rules were signed by all the members :
1. Each member of the club must take his or her turn in choosing a play, and in giving out the role of characters.
2. Every member must take the character given him and do his best,
unless he can exchange with some other member, with the consent of the one who selected the play.
3. The one who selects the play has a right to the best character.
4. The club shall meet once a week at the houses of members in alphabetical rotation.
5. Whenever any member is unable to take his part and cannot attend the meeting, he must provide some one to take his character.
6. No new member can be admitted without the vote of the majority.
7. Each member must study his or her part well before meeting with the club. If any two, or several, should have difficult parts together, they must meet privately and practice them.
At first they merely read the plays ; but soon they partially acted them, and found them increase in interest thereby. They always had their little librettos with them ; those who had ready memories rarely referred to them, or a mere glance would be sufficient. Finally, they dressed in character and admitted an audience. One will be surprised to see how much dramatic ability they have, that, though latent now, if once aroused, bursts forth in full force. It does no harm either, but gives one grace, ease and self-possession, off as well as on the stage. An amateur actor or actress may be known by their walk ; they always come in walking directly on their heels. The first thing to cultivate on the stage is a graceful carriage. Under the rules given above one may become familiar with the best plays without wearying of them, and each member has equal opportunity of consulting his own taste. Persons who read French and German will find this an admirable way of learning to converse with ease in either of those languages.
PREPARING THE STAGE AND ACCESSORIES.