CONTENTS OF PART I. SCENE FROM "As You LIKE IT," ARRANGED FOR FOUR SCENE FROM 66 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM," ARRANGED SCENE FROM "MERCHANT OF VENICE," ARRANGED FOR FOUR CHARACTERS. The ACTS and SCENES of the original text are given in the following pages, but only as guides to reference. They are, in no way, intended to create intervals or pauses, save when specially notified in the stage directions. SCENE FROM "AS YOU LIKE IT.” THIS is arranged for four characters-two boys and two girls. Care must be given in the selection of the boy to play Touchstone, as the player must have a sense of humour; though little is given to Touchstone to say, the character being introduced chiefly to help in dressing the scene. The success of playing the part of Rosalind consists in the ability of the actress, when dressed as a boy, to appear as a male to Orlando, and yet as a female, in disguise, to the audience. Orlando and another wrestler enter L., wrestling, and Orlando throws the other. Rosalind and Celia are looking on R. Rosalind to have a lady's skirt over her trunk hose which she wears as a boy. This, to save delay in changing. Celia, also, will have a better dress over the more common one necessary for her disguise. Fallen wrestler rises and goes out L. CEL. (R.) FROM ACT I. SCENE II. Gentle cousin, Let us go thank him, and encourage him. If you do keep your promises in love But justly, as you have exceeded all pro mise, Your mistress shall be happy. Ros. (C.) (Bows and retires R.) Gentleman, (Giving him a chain from her neck) Wear this for me-one out of suits with fortune, That could give more, but that her hand lacks means. (ORLANDO puts chain round his neck and bows.) (To CELIA). Shall we go? CEL. Ay. (To ORLANDO). Fare you well, fair gentleman. ORL. (L.) Can I not say, I thank you? My better parts Are all thrown down; and that, which here stands up, Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block. (ROS. and CEL. going—Ros. turns back.) Ros. . Did you call, Sir? (Pause). Sir, you have wrestled well, and overthrown More than your enemies. (Ros. sighs, takes CELIA'S hand, and goes out R. ORL. sighs, looks after her, and then goes out L. A few bars of music.) CEL. (R.) FROM ACT I. SCENE III. Enter Ros. and CEL. (R.) Shall we part, sweet girl? No; let my father seek another heir, Therefore devise with me how we may fly, Whither to go, and what to bear with Ros. Why, whither shall we go? CEL. To seek my uncle in the forest of Arden. Ros. Alas, what danger will it be to us, Maids, as we are, to travel forth so far! (Coquettishly). Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold. |