Masques of East and West (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914. Excerpt: ... This Pageant was written at the suggestion of the Sane Fourth Association of Chicago, and first produced under its auspices, assisted by the Chicago Woman's Club, at Jackson Park, Chicago, the evening of July 4, 1 q 11. The performance was free to the public, and the audience was officially estimated at twenty thousand persons. The Pageant is now published in the belief that it may provide or suggest to progressive communities a more logical method of celebration than that against which the Sane Fourth Associations are in active protest, being an attempt to show in dramatic form some of the conditions which led to the American Revolution; to explain the situation of the Continental Congress previous to its Declaration of Independence; and to make plain the effect of this Declaration upon the position of Washington as commander of the American army. The Pageant in the form here given is not designed for presentation on a very great scale. It may be played by a hundred participants; or the number may be augmented to four or five hundred where funds for extensive costuming are available. It is intended for outdoor evening production, with simple profile scenery such as may be constructed and painted anywhere. The scenes are arranged for rehearsal as units, so that the number of general rehearsals may be reduced to a minimum. It is the belief of the authors that the complete reading of the Declaration of Independence should be incorporated in the performance; but as this document is of considerable length it may seem advisable to some stage directors to curtail the reading, letting the Messenger lead off the crowd at the close, and playing the final scene immediately upon his exit. This point, as well as many details of costume and setting, may be left to the...