One Male and Two Female Figures.
This pleasing tableau is taken from the poem of Don Juan, by Byron.
The scene is that where Haidee discovers the insensible form of Juan
lying at the mouth of the cave, near to the sea shore. Don Juan has
been shipwrecked; his almost lifeless body has washed ashore, and
found a resting place in a rocky cave, to be discovered by the
beautiful Haidee and her attendant. The principal work in this piece
is the forming of the cave, which can be made in the following manner:
The floor of the cave should rise gradually from the front to the
background; this can be accomplished by using boxes of various sizes,
over which place brown cambric, with brown paper attached to it in a
crumpled manner, so as to imitate ragged rocks, and when painted with
light and brown colors, and ornamented with isinglass, will make a
very good appearance. The floor of the cave should extend to within
three feet of the front of the stage, and run back to the extreme
background. The space between the footlights and the floor of the cave
should be covered with blue cambric, painted to represent waves and
surf. Directly behind the drop curtain there should be a
representation of the roof and sides of the cave. Light frames,
covered with brown paper, similar to the floor, and made very
irregular at the edges, must be placed at each side of the stage, and
at the top; these should be two feet wide, and of the height and width
of the stage. Two other sets of frames should be made similar to the
first, and placed at equal distances from the fore to the background.
The first set must be three feet wide; the second set four feet wide.
The background of the cave may also be covered with similar scenery.
The idea of arranging the scenery in this manner is to give a deep
appearance to the cave. Isinglass should be profusely sprinkled over
the surface of the rocks, and a few sprigs of grass fastened to them
will add to the effect. The fastening of the brown paper to the frames
can be dispensed with if there is any person who can paint out the
rocks on plain canvas. The one who personates Juan should be of slight
figure, fine, regular features, hair black and curly, and small
moustache. Costume consists of black pants, with buff or gold stripe
at the side, white shirt, with blue collar, and gold star at the
corners, black belt around the waist, white hose, low shoes, with
buckles of silver. The shirt should be left open in the neck, so as to
expose the bosom. A small wound can be imitated on the side of the
head, made with red paint. Position is, reclining on the rocks in the
foreground of the cave; the left side touches the rocks, the head
thrown back, and face exposed to the view of the audience. The right
hand grasps a small oar, while the left is stretched out at his side.
The eyes are closed, the feet crossed, and resting in the water.
Haidee and her friend are seen in the background. Both should be of
small figure and good features. Haidee should be quite pretty, and
costumed in a blue dress, black velvet waist, open in front, and laced
across with blue ribbons; sleeves long and flowing; a small crimson
apron, with bands of gold at the bottom; a black velvet belt around
the waist, with a showy pin in the centre; bows of pink ribbon
fastened with a small, showy pin at each shoulder; hair hanging in
curls; hat made of velvet, trimmed with gold bands and white feathers,
which should be placed jantily on the side of the head. Her position
is, standing on the rocks in the back of the cave, one hand raised so
as to shade her eyes, the other pointing to the body of Juan; the eyes
are fixed on the body, while the countenance expresses surprise; the
right foot must be placed twenty inches in front of the left, while
the body is inclined forward. The figure back of Haidee has on a
costume similar to that already described, but of less showy and
expensive material. She is standing five or six feet from Haidee, and
has her hands filled with shells, which she has gathered from the
shore. She is intently engaged in looking at her shells, and has not
yet seen Juan; her body is bent forward slightly, the expression of
the face denoting curiosity and thought. The light for this piece
should come from the front of the stage, and must be quite brilliant.
If a melodeon is used as an accompaniment to the piece, it should be
played to imitate the roaring of the ocean.