Three Male Figures.
This brilliant tableau represents a rippling stream of water, with
luxuriant banks on either side, spanned by a beautiful rainbow. A
party of fairies, wishing to pass the stream, have made use of the
rainbow as a bridge. One of them is seen in the centre of the bridge,
holding a golden wand, with which he endeavors to balance himself in
his passage over the water. Standing on the right bank, near the end
of the bridge, is a fairy who has safely passed over, and is
encouraging his friend on the opposite side to make the trial, who is
seated on the grass arranging a bunch of flowers. The scenery of the
piece can be adjusted in the following manner: Boxes two feet wide
and three feet high placed on each side of the stage, from the front
to the background, and covered with green bocking, will answer for the
banks of the river. A few branches of spruce, intermingled with
flowers, should be fastened to the side scenes, and a few spruce trees
arranged in the background. At the front end of the banks place showy
vases of flowers; and at the other end, on pedestals two feet high,
place larger vases, containing bouquets. To make the river show to
advantage, it will be necessary to arrange it in the form of an
inclined plane. Strips of wood placed across the stage at a distance
of one foot from each other, on a rise of two inches to a foot, and
covered with blue cambric, will answer for the river. Let the cloth
festoon between the strips, paint the ridges of the miniature waves
with white paint, and sprinkle them with small particles of isinglass.
On the foreground of the scene place two swans, and around the edges
of the banks fasten pieces of spruce and grasses. The bridge should be
made slightly oval, and placed in the centre of the stage. Three
stringers, sawed out of inch board, and covered with lathes two feet
long, will answer for the flooring. This can be entirely hid from view
by a railing on the front side, and is made as follows: Manufacture a
frame to correspond with the curve and length of the flooring, and
twelve inches in width; cover it with white cloth, and paint it to
represent a rainbow; the colors may be purple, crimson, yellow, green,
and white; lights placed behind it, will give a fine effect. The
fairies' costume consists of a short muslin dress, with a border three
inches wide, of pink muslin, decorated with gold stars--the white
muslin ornamented with silver spangles and stars; flesh-colored hose,
white slippers, a band of silver, ornamented with paste pins, about
the head, and small wings attached to the back of the dress,--the
wings formed of wire, covered with gauze, and ornamented with endless
bands of blue tarleton muslin, ornamented with silver spangles. Each
holds a gold wand three feet long. The position of the fairy on the
bridge is such that a side view is had of the form, while the face is
turned towards the front of the stage. The wand is grasped in the
centre, and held across the bosom. The countenance expresses pleasure.
The fairy who has passed over is standing at the end of the bridge,
partly facing the audience, with both hands extended towards his
friend, his countenance expressing mirth. The fairy on the other bank
is seated on the ground arranging flowers. He faces the audience, and
is looking at a large rose which he holds in his right hand. This
scene must be illuminated by green, red, and yellow fire, which is
described in the tableau of the "Pyramid of Beauty." Music, light and
animating.