作者：Alice Maude Kellogg
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Christmas Entertainments试读：
Christmas Entertainments
作者：Alice Maude Kellogg排版：暮蝉出版时间：2018-02-01本书由当当数字商店（公版书）授权北京当当科文电子商务有限公司制作与发行。— · 版权所有 侵权必究 · —FIRST PICTURE.
"They were consulting about it in the nursery." (Page 1 in "The Birds' Christmas Carol.")
In this scene the children's belongings are scattered about: small chairs, a cradle, toys, and picture-books. Mr. Bird stands in the center of the platform holding a large doll dressed in infant's robes. Grandma is seated near, and Uncle Jack, Donald, Paul, and Hugh are discussing a name for the baby. The Christmas hymn is heard after the curtains are drawn and before the
SECOND PICTURE.
"A famous physician had visited them." (Page 12.)
Mr. and Mrs. Bird and the doctor are seated around a library-table in earnest conference.
THIRD PICTURE.
Carol's "Circulating Library." (Page 16.)
Carol is lying in an easy-chair beside a case filled with books. The description of her room should be carried out on the stage as far as practicable.
FOURTH PICTURE.
"The children took their places." (Page 36.)
The nine Ruggles children are seated in a row facing the audience. Mrs. Ruggles stands before them, giving instructions about their behavior at Carol's dinner party. The costumes must be fantastic, following the description in the story—green glass breastpin, the purple necktie, and much-braided hair.
FIFTH PICTURE.
"The feast being over," etc. (Page 35.)
Carol's room is shown again. The Ruggles children are seated around Carol, with Mr. Bird and Mrs. Bird and Uncle Jack in the background.
SIXTH PICTURE.
"There stood the brilliantly lighted tree." (Page 55.)
The same characters that appeared in the preceding scene are shown in attitudes of delight and astonishment as the second curtain is drawn aside to show the Christmas tree.
SEVENTH PICTURE.
"Softly, Uncle Jack." (Page 63.)
The library is shown again. Mr. and Mrs. Bird, Uncle Jack, Donald, Hugh, and Paul are grouped as if listening attentively. At the right of the platform a leaded-window effect is made with a slender wood frame covered with black gauze. Behind this stands a small boy in choir vestments, holding a music book and singing "My Ain Countree" to organ accompaniment.
The Brownie Men.
By M. NORA BOYLAN.(An exercise for four little boys. They wear padded trousers of some cheap brown material and a loose shirt of same material in place of the school jacket. Skull-caps of same material, worn jauntily. Broad white rings about the eyes and charcoal lines upon face to produce resemblance to pictured Brownies. Jolly smiles and capers. Join hands and hop on one foot around tree or leader, before, between, and after verses.)Merry, merry sprites are we,Dancing round the Christmas tree.We've a gift for every oneThough the last one is just done.This has been a busy year,And we hope we bring you cheer,And when Christmas comes again,Look for us—The Brownie men.
Winter's Children.
By J.D. MOORE.(The children should wear some indication of the several characters they impersonate. Most elaborate and beautiful costumes might be used, but the simple device of a placard upon each child's breast bearing the name of his part will answer the purpose.)Wind: I come from the cold and stormy North,With a rush and a roar I hurry forth,I toss from the trees the dead leaves down,The withered leaves all sere and brown,And sway the branches to and froAs on my way I whirling go.At crack and crevice I slip in,And make a lively sounding din.Swift I come and swift away,With you I can no longer stay,For I am wanted elsewhere now,And so good-bye, I make my bow.Frost (taking Wind's hand):Hand in hand we ever goThrough the season to and fro.I breathe upon the streams. They ceaseTheir murmurings and are at peace.Upon each window pane I traceThe finest filmy glistening lace.Each boy and girl, 'tis plain to see,Hath still a welcome kind for me.For on the lake they whirl and wheel,You hear the click of polished steelAs swift upon their skates they fly
Santa Claus.(Let the first line be given by a small boy as a herald, carrying a trumpet, and dressed in tunic, tights, and velvet cap. The second line it taken up by Santa Claus, in costume of fur, with white beard and hair.)A voice from out of the northern sky:"On the wings of the limitless winds I fly.Swifter than thought, over mountain and vale,City and moorland, desert and dale!From the north to the south, from the east to the westI hasten regardless of slumber or rest;O, nothing you dream of can fly as fastAs I on the wings of the windy blast!"The wondering stars look out to seeWho he that flieth so fast may be,And their bright eyes follow my earthward trackBy the gleam of the jewels I bear in my pack.For I have treasures for high and for low:Rubies that burn like the sunset glow;Diamond rays for the crownèd queen;For the princess, pearls with their silver sheen."I enter the castle with noiseless feet—The air is silent and soft and sweet;And I lavish my beautiful tokens there—Fairings to make the fair more fair!I enter the cottage of want and woe—The candle is dim and the fire burns low;But the sleepers smile in a happy dream
JULIA C.R. DORR.
Father Christmas's Message.(This speech may be given at the close of a Christmas entertainment. A white wig and beard, fur coat and gloves are worn, and sleigh-bells are sounded before Father Christmas appears on the platform.)Here I am again. The close of the yearBrings Old Father Christmas with his good cheerI'm cheery myself, and cheery I makeAll folks who follow advice for my sake.My advice is the same to all my friends:Give and forgive, and quickly make amendsFor what you do wrong. Let love be the rule.Christians, be true at the season of Yule.Old Father Christmas every one welcomes;I bring peace and happiness to all homes.Away with the bad. Have nothing but good.Do what I tell you. If only you would,You'd all live at one in true brotherhood.I always brighten up all hearts. The spellOf Christmas can all gloomy thoughts dispel.My friends, right pleased am I to see you here.How are you all? Pray come again next year.I hope you've liked the fun we've had to-night;If so, then now applaud with all your might.
J.A. ATKINSON.
Mr. St. Nicholas.
By ALICE M. KELLOGG.(The characters are Old-fashioned Santa Claus, dressed in the traditional costume of fur, white beard, and a Christmas pack; Mr. St. Nicholas, in evening dress with silk hat; Dora, Katie, Maggie, and little Bess; Harry, Charlie, Tom, and John in ordinary school clothes.The scene opens with a large fireplace arranged at the center of the platform, a dark curtain drawn before the opening to conceal Santa Claus. The accompaniment to "Nancy Lee" is heard, and the eight children march in, carrying their stockings.)Oh, Christmas time has come again,Tra la la la, tra la la la;We welcome it with glad refrain,Tra la la la la la.Of all the happy holidays this yearThere's none so joyous, none so dear,Then sing we all our song of festive glee,Of Santa Claus and Christmas tree.
Chorus.—Oh, ring the bells, the merry Christmas bells, Their music all our pleasure tells. (Repeat, singing tra la la whenever necessary to give the rhythm. They pause in groups in center, right, and left; some sit, others stand, and change their positions during the dialogue)
Harry: Oh dear, the same old thing again this year, I suppose! "Hang up the baby's stocking, be sure you don't forget."
Charlie: This baby's stocking is the biggest bicycle hose I could buy. (Pins it at one side of the chimney.) I don't think old Santa could miss it if he tried.
Dora: I made mine to suit the occasion, for I hope Santa Claus will fit a zither into it. (Displays a large, fantastically shaped stocking of striking color, and fastens it beside Charlie's.)
Harry: You ought to take a prize, Dora, for designing the most—ahem!—unexpected-looking stocking. Generous sized, too! Here goes my contribution to the chimney. (Hangs up a sock.) It's big enough to hold a coin of gold that will buy me a new bicycle. I don't care for any knick-knacks.
Katie: I must confess that I'm rather tired of this old custom of hanging up our stockings on Christmas eve and crawling out of bed in the cold dawn to see what is in them. I wish some one would invent a new way.
Maggie: Just what I thought, Katie, last winter, though I never spoke of it. But if you've hung your stocking up, I must have mine there too. (Goes to chimney.)
John: Well, I refuse to fall in line this year. I'm tired of the whole plan. It seems absurd for an old chap to come tumbling down the fireplace and load up our stockings.
Tom: I agree with you, John! What we want is a new-fashioned Christmas. A real, up-to-date Santa Claus, and no more of this children's nonsense.
Bess: Not have Santa Claus any more? Isn't he coming to-night? (Cries.)
John: Oh yes, he'll remember you if you're a good little girl and stop crying. Dora, help Bess to fasten up her stocking.
(After the stocking is fixed, Bess faces the audience and recites.)Bess: I do hope dear old SantaWill come this way to-night,And come here to my stocking,To fill it nice and tight.I'd like to watch and see him,But I know I must waitTill shines the Christmas sunshine—I hope he won't be late.
Tom: Let Bess have her old-fashioned Santa Claus, but the rest of us vote for something different.
Harry: I used to think Santa a pretty jolly old duffer, who made lots of sport for the infants, but I'm ready for a change myself.
Dora: Don't count me in to help out your majority; Santa Claus seems to me the kindly spirit of Christmas appearing mysteriously to give us greater pleasure.
Katie: Well, I'll side with the boys this time and see if there is any improvement in holiday matters.
Charlie: You'll think me a baby to stick to the old style. I won't venture an opinion at all.
Tom: Then we are agreed that of Santa Claus we have no need.
John: } Kate: } Tis what we all concede. Harry: } Maggie: }
(All sing to the tune of "Maryland, My Maryland.")Old Santa Claus is such a bore,Of him we've had too much and more;Now what we want is something new,But what is there for us to do?A new St. Nick would be the thing,Who would our Christmas presents bring.
(Electric bell sounds, the door opens, and Mr. St. Nicholas comes on the stage. He bows and takes off his hat.)
Mr. St. N.: Good evening, young people! I see you are at your old-time tricks of hanging up your stockings. This won't do. Don't you know it's gone out of fashion? (Goes toward fireplace; the boys rush to protect their property.)
John: Who are you, sir? And how dare you interfere with our fun?
Mr. St. N.: I am the new, up-to-the-times Santa Claus. My proper name is Mr. St. Nicholas. I am on my rounds to take the names of all the young people who deserve a remembrance at Christmas time. I haven't a moment to lose. My telephones are overburdened with messages, my men are distracted with the work to be done between now and daylight. (Pulls out a book and pencil and prepares to write while he addresses Tom and speaks rapidly without waiting for a reply.) Your name, young man? Your age, birthplace, parents' names? Residence? Attendant at what school? What specific tastes? List of last year's presents. Make haste, time is money.
Katie: But Santa—I mean Mr. St. Nicholas—here are our stockings.
Mr. St. N.: Christmas stockings! trash and nonsense. They belong to the dark ages.
Harry: Pray, how do you bestow your gifts?
Mr. St. N.: By district messenger service, of course! Next boy (to Charlie), give me your name, age, birthplace, parents' names, residence, school, specific tastes, last year's presents.
Charlie: How did you come here, Mr. St. Nicholas? I heard no sleigh-bells at the door.
Mr. St. N. (scornfully): More nonsense to explain. I came down from the north pole in an air-ship of the latest pattern. Come, now, here are these girls waiting to be classified. (To Dora.) Name, age—
Dora: I won't be put in statistics, even if it is Christmas and you are the patron saint.
Charlie: Nor I. I didn't vote for any improvements. Take them away.
John: You seem a trifle ahead of the age, Mr. St. Nicholas, or else we made a great mistake in being discontented with our old-fashioned Christmas.
Tom: Allow me to call down your air-ship.
(Mr. St. Nicholas is ushered to the door. The others turn back at the sound of sleigh-bells. Santa Claus appears at the fireplace.)
Children (greeting him with enthusiasm): Jolly old Saint Nicholas!
Santa Claus: Oh! ho! ha! ha! Are you really glad to see such an old-fashioned specimen as I am?
John: Indeed we are! We have just shown your usurper the door.
Bess (clasping S.C.'s hand): You are the real Santa Claus.
Santa Claus: Yes, I am the real Santa Claus, and I cannot get to work until you children are fast asleep. So scurry away as fast as you can, and a merry, merry Christmas when you awake!
Children (singing to the tune of "Nancy Lee," end at the end leaving the stage):Oh! Christmas time has come again,Tra la la la, tra la la la.We welcome it with glad refrain,Tra la la la la la.Of all the happy holidays this year,There's none so joyous, none so dear,Then sing we all our song of festive glee,Of Santa Claus and Christmas tree.
Chorus.—O ring the bells, the merry Christmas bells, Their music all out pleasure tells. (Repeat.)
(Santa Claus unpacks his goods, and as he fills the stockings he performs various antics, holds up the objects, and dances about. Any local expressions that will create amusement he can bring in with running commentaries. The piano is heard softly till he is through, and then bursts out loudly as the curtain is drawn.)
Christmas Offerings by Children from Other Lands.
By ELLA M. POWERS.(DIRECTIONS.—This exercise may be given by six little girls. The platform may be decorated with evergreen trees or boughs, and flags should be used freely. The American girl should be dressed in an American flag and wear a cap of red, white, and blue. The costumes of the others may be as follows:The Eskimo girl should procure a boy's fur coat, or wrap a fur rug about her and wear a fur cap or hood and fur mittens.The Indian girl can throw about her a gay-colored blanket, and wear strings of beads about her neck, arms, and head. Her straight dark hair should be parted in the middle, plaited in two braids in the back, and decorated with short pieces of bright ribbons. Moccasins and dark brown stockings may be worn on the feet. Bracelets, earrings, chains, beads, quills, and brooches may be used as ornaments. The hands, arms, and face should be stained. To color the skin get a stick of Hess Grease Paint No. 17. Rub a little vaseline into the skin to be tinted. Then rub a portion of the paint on the palm of the left hand and with the fingers of the right hand transfer it evenly to the skin surface until the required tint is obtained.The Chinese girl should be dressed brightly with large, square, loose hanging sleeves, a broad sash tied on one side, her hair brushed flat, coiled in the back, with haircomb and pins thrust into the coil. She may have a Japanese parasol and carry a fan.
American girl:And this again is Christmas day;My invitations allHave gladly been accepted;Let us see who first will call.(Eskimo girl enters, bows, comes forward with a fur bag filled with presents, which she passes to the American girl as she mentions them.)
Eskimo girl:I'm a little Eskimo girl,I live in the land of ice,We never saw a Christmas treeNor fruits and candies nice;But we run races o'er the snow,Beneath the big, bright moon,And from this far away ice-land,I've brought you a nice bone spoon.My father hunts all through the dayFor reindeer, seal, and bear,And sends away in ships so strongThese furs so rich and rare,And fish, and birds, and whales, you know,I've seen them many a time,And here's a pretty fur for youThat came from the arctic clime.(Eskimo girl offers presents and steps to one side. American girl turns and places presents on the boughs beside her. Enter Indian girl.)
Indian girl:I'm a little Indian girl,I live in the far Northwest,In the land of the Dakotas,In the land I love the best.I've brought a nice bead-basket,I made it all. You seeI know about your ChristmasA happy day to thee.And here's an arrow-head for you,And a piece of pottery queer,And here are herbs for medicine good,To make you strong, my dear.We children shoot and fish and huntJust as our fathers do,The whole wide forest is our home:It feeds and clothes us, too.(Steps aside. Enter Chinese girl.)
Chinese girl:I'm a little Chinese girl,They say I've almond eyes,I live in a boat, on a river we float,And often eat rice and rat pies.And here is a bamboo basket,Filled with choicest tea,I picked and dried it all myselfIt comes from Ken See Lee. (Bows low.)With us we have no Christmas,No presents nor a tree;But there in the boat, I made this toy,This, too, comes from Ken See Lee.(Chinese girl bows low and takes a seat on low stool in front of American girl. Enter African girl.)
African girl:I'm a dark little African girl,I live in a forest land,With kinky curls and jet black eyes,I watch the elephant band.My father hunts these animals,From one of them I bringAn elephant's tusk to you, my friend,'Twill make you a pretty ring.And here is ebony wood for you,A cocoanut from the palm,And dates to eat, so very sweet,All from our African farm.(Offers presents, which American girl hangs on the boughs. African girl steps to her left. Enter Arabian girl.)
Arabian girl:
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