Seven Female and Eight Male Figures.
This sacred tableau is represented as follows: At the left of the
stage, Belshazzar is seated on his throne. At his side stands his
wife. Consternation and affright are depicted on their countenances.
At the opposite side of the stage stand three wise men. In the centre
of the stage is the feast table, covered with silver dishes,
candlesticks, and refreshments. Around it are gathered the guests. In
the background, on a platform, are seen a group of servants. The
handwriting is placed on the back scenery, opposite to the group of
servants. The number of figures in the piece is fifteen--eight
gentlemen and seven ladies. The scenery in the piece consists of a
table six feet long, two and a half feet high, and three feet wide,
covered with a green cloth, fringed with gold paper, on this are
placed a silver tea set, cake baskets, candlesticks, and refreshments.
The throne chairs should be placed on a platform at the left of the
stage, near the front; the platform can be formed of boxes, and must
be four feet square and two feet high, covered with crimson cloth,
trimmed with gold paper; two large chairs, with a canopy over the top,
will answer for the throne; one occupied by Belshazzar, the other by
his wife. Low seats around the table will be needed for the guests;
the seats can be covered with white cloth; showy pictures, in rich
frames, adorn the walls, and pedestals and statuary fill the corners
of the room. The writing on the wall can be produced by means of a
transparency, the words made large, and the letters in German text,
with a halo around the whole sentence. Belshazzar's costume consists
of a purple velvet coat trimmed with gold, a large cloak trimmed with
ermine, velvet breeches, white hose crossed with red tape, sandals on
the feet, and a velvet and gold crown on the head. His wife should be
dressed in a showy brocade, cut low at the top, short sleeves, a band
of black velvet ornamented with gold placed on the head, and a narrow
mantle worn over the shoulder. The dress must be ornamented with rich
jewelry, gold bands, and a wide belt of red velvet, decorated with
paste pins, around the waist. The three wise men's costume consists of
long, loose coats, reaching six inches below the knee, and gathered in
at the waist with a wide belt. Each coat should vary in color from the
others. They can be made of cambric. Colors, red, purple, and blue,
with the edges trimmed with cloth of some other color. Black hose,
crossed with red, reach to the knees, low shoes, covered with red
Turkey cloth, on the feet, and a turban of bright colors on the head,
the face covered with a long white beard--this can be made of flax.
The ladies at the table must be costumed in silk or satin dresses,
ornamented with spangles, and any kind of jewelry that will look
showy; hair decorated with spar beads, hair pins, and plumes. The
gentlemen's costume consists of rich velvet suits; long beards.
Servants in short white coats, with border on the bottom, red
breeches, white hose, and light felt hats with gold bands.
Belshazzar's position is in the chair near the footlights; body
inclined back, arms thrown up, eyes fixed on the writing, countenance
expressing affright. His wife is seated in the second chair, one arm
resting on the shoulder of her husband, the other raised in front of
the face, eyes directed to the writing. The wise men stand opposite to
the throne, at the extreme end of the stage, near the footlights;
their backs are to the audience; the heads of two are turned to the
king, giving a side view of their faces. One of them points to the
writing. The party at the table must assume a variety of natural
positions; a few look with astonishment, and point at the writing;
others are engaged in eating and drinking. The servants stand in the
background, and are all looking at the writing. A few lean forward and
point to the wall; others take position as if about to flee from the
room; the countenances of all express terror. The scene should be
lighted by a brilliant red fire burned at the side of the stage
opposite Belshazzar. Music, operatic style.