Four Male Figures.
This scene, so familiar in Scripture history, represents the father
standing on the step of his mansion, about to embrace his son, who
stands near. The background of the picture should represent the
portico of a house, and can be made in the following manner: Procure
at a paper store four fresco pilasters, with caps and bases, and a
wide cornice to match; also a roll of granite paper; paste the cornice
and pilasters on cloth; fasten the cornice across the ceiling of the
stage, five feet from the background, and suspend the pilasters from
the lower edge, placing them at equal distances from each other; form
the steps out of boxes and boards, and cover them with the granite
paper. At each side of the steps place a large vase of flowers. Behind
the pilasters, at the end of the upper step, are seen two servants.
They are stooping down and looking at the group in the foreground.
Their costume can be easily made up. Frock coats, trimmed on the
bottom of the skirts, cuffs, and front with colored cloth, five inches
wide; white pants, black hose, crossed with red binding; low shoes;
knee and shoe buckles; low-crowned, black Kossuth hat, encircled with
a band of gold, and ornamented in front with a large paste pin and
showy plume. The gentleman who represents the father must be of good
height and large figure. His costume consists of a purple velvet coat
and breeches, white hose, crossed with black ribbons, low shoes, knee
and shoe buckles; over the shoulders is thrown a long cloak, trimmed
with ermine; hair and beard quite long, which can be imitated with
flax, glued to cloth made to fit the head and face. If dresses cannot
be procured at a costumer's, cheap material can be made up for the
occasion, and will look quite pretty. A blue circular cloak, or a
lady's velvet cape, trimmed with white cotton flannel, two inches
wide, with small pieces of black-shag fastened on at intervals of five
inches, will look well, and will resemble ermine. The breeches can be
made of purple cambric, trimmed with gold paper. A blue dress coat,
trimmed with gold paper, and covered with white lace, will answer for
an under-coat. The father's position is, standing on the second step
of the portico, with both hands extended, body bending forward
slightly, eyes fixed on the son, countenance expressing joy and
happiness. The son stands at the foot of the steps, leaning on a stout
branch of a tree, which he has been using for a cane on his journey.
He displays a side view of the body, and is costumed in a coarse brown
frock, open in the neck, displaying his neck and bosom, and tied
around the waist with a piece of rope; large rents should be made in
the sleeves, showing the flesh within; knee breeches of coarse
material, torn at the side; brown hose; and shoes, which are almost
worn out, and are tied to the foot with strings; hair hanging over the
forehead; skin colored light brown; his eyes cast down to the ground,
and countenance melancholy. The light must be quite brilliant, and
come from the side opposite to the servants. Music animating.