Transcriber’s Note: Non-standard contractions such as “have’nt”, “wont”, “must’nt”are as in the original.
Down by the Sea.
THE
Mimic Stage.
A SERIES OF
DRAMAS, COMEDIES, BURLESQUES,
AND FARCES,
FOR
PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS AND PRIVATE THEATRICALS.
BY
GEORGE M. BAKER,
Author of “Amateur Dramas,” “An Old Man’s Prayer,” &c.
BOSTON:
LEE AND SHEPARD.
1869.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
GEORGE M. BAKER,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
Geo. C. Rand & Avery,
Stereotypers and Printers,
3 Cornhill, Boston.
To
MATT. A. MATHEW, ESQ.,
PROPRIETOR OF
THE “HANDS” AND “LAUGH”
WHICH HAVE SO OFTEN
GIVEN ASSURANCE OF SUCCESS.
PREFACE.
The gratifying success of a previous volume of “AmateurDramas,” and the increasing demand for pieces of a lightcharacter suitable for representation without the usual costlytheatrical accessories, has induced the writer to prepare asecond volume for publication. Like the first, it containspieces which have been specially prepared for occasional exhibitions,society benefits, and parlor theatricals, and which haveonly been admitted to “the mimic stage” after having stoodthe test of public approval. For their production, no sceneryis required. A moderate-sized room, having folding-doors orhanging curtains to separate the audience from the actors;costumes such as the modern wardrobe will easily supply, withnow and then a foray on some good old grandmother’s trunks;a wig or two; a few pieces of chalk; red paint; and India-ink,—isall the “extraordinary preparations” and “great expense”necessary. For benefits, fairs, and temperance gatherings,many of the pieces will be found particularly appropriate.To give variety, three dialogues, originally published in “OliverOptic’s Magazine,” have, by the kind permission of itspopular editor, been added to the collection. Amateur theatricalshave now become a part of the regular winter-eveningamusements of young and old; and, with proper management,[vi]no more rational, pleasant, and innocent diversion can be devised.Endeavoring to avoid bluster and rant, relying moreon touches of nature, hits at follies and absurdities, for success,the writer trusts his little book may contain nothingwhich can detract from the good name those amusementsnow enjoy.
STAGE-DIRECTIONS.
R means Right; L, Left; C, Centre.
T