2609 37 S8 ~J1 i \ , ' E ib--:s;^ =; | lug j py 1 ^ he Peerless Series [y No. 71 I Once Upon a Midnight A Dramatization of Poe's "Raven" By Vincent P. Sullivan PRICE 50 CENTS Frank J. Stanton, Publisher Norwich, N. Y. ^, ,, ,s J I I All 25 cents each 15 Peerless Minstrel Book, No. 4 The latest in the minstrel material collection, all dished up, red hot and ready to serve, uniform with but entirely different than any of the preceding three numbers. You are sure to find just what you want to "hit" your friends and all that is neces- sary for you to do is supply the name. The laughs are all "canned"— open the can! Get all four books! Make your minstrel show complete with this enjoyable bunch of always desirable and "make-good" material. We want to tell you right here that the jokes, etc., in our Minstre Books are so good that people are baying them just to "stock up" on bright, fresh, crisp gags to spring on their friends. Fact! . 16 A Couple of Lunatics A most successful dra- matic sketch for two people, male and female, suitable for presentation on stage, in parlor or church, as only an ordi- nary setting or room is necessary. Runs about fifteen min- utes and will delight any audience. 17 Who Wouldn't be a Boy? A monologue. You can imagine at once what it is about and no doubt it will / carry you back to your own childhood and its pranks. It/ is full of laughs, first to last. 18 The Trickster Tricked A very clever little farce in two scenes for seven characters, 5 male 2 female. Is easily staged and has fine old man, character old man, soubrette, male and female colored servants, genteel young man, etc. It is highly enjoyable and you are sure to like it. It runs about 25 minutes. Stanton Amusement Co., Norwich, N. Y. Once Upon a Midnight A Dramatization of Poe's *'Raven" By Vincent P. Sullivan Copyright, 1922 FRANKJ. STANTON Norwich, New York .t.^ Once Upon a Midnight >^ SYNOPSIS This one act play, a dramatization of Edgar Allan Poe's celebrated po- em, "The Raven," telh the story of a remorseful young Student who suf- fered h's true love to die of a broken heart. The action takes place "ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT," exactly one year aft;r the awful event, that frightful n'ght in bhak December, wh n the lovcly Lenore perished in the storm, killed by the cru;l;y of her bver. The Studeni; is dis- covered po.-ing over his books in an effort to bmish his dreadful msm:- ries, when, in the lull of the storm, a queer tapping is hear i. He traces this tapping to his window, and op^n ng it, a "stately Riv:n of the saintly days of yore" stalks in and alights on the bust of Pallas over the door. Oat of sheer curio2ity he addresses the Raven and is surprised and terrified to receive a reply. He questions it franti:ally but to all' queries it has but one answer, "Never, nevermore." These replies are made by Voice of the Night, the character visible to the audience but un- seen by the Student. Exhausted, the Student sinks into a dream. In this dream the troupe of dancing children, garbed as angfls, enter, swinging incense and laying a path of roses, waereupon, presently enters the Spirit of Lenore. She sings "Lenore's Answer" and in a dim light disappears. The Student awakens from his dream and begs the Raven te tell "it within the distant heaven he shall clasp the sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore." But to all his pleading? and entreaties the terrible verdict remains, "Nevermore." Infuriated, the wretched youth hurls the lighted hmp at the offending Raven, and daybreak re- veals the lifeless form of the unhappy young man huddled in a corner of the room. The Spirit of Lenore again enters and sings. An encore verse and chorus is sung by the Company, with "happy ending" effect, show- ing that the little play was only the Student's dream. / COSTUMES / For STUDENT, general make-up of Poe in his youth. For VOICE OF THE NIGHT, black tights and cloak. For LENORE, flowing white robe and handsome large wings. For DANCING CHILDREN, (3 with incense and 3 with baskets of ro- ses,) white dresses and gum shoes, (wings not essential.) PERMISSION to produce this Play must be obtained of the Publisher. All rights are reserved. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1922 BY FRANK J. STANTON, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington ■©CI.D60544 p^_^,3^ Once Upon a Midnight CAST OF CHARACTERS THE YOUNG STUDENT, VOICE OF THE NIGHT, THE SPIRIT OF LENORE, BALLET OF DANCING CHILDREN. SCENE — A library. Large open fireplace in which a fire is bu'-ning at R. Large doorway, with purple velvet curtains, in Flat at R cf C. Above the door is a bust (cf "Pallas".) Lattice window at L 1 , An invisible wi e is arranged to convey an imitation raven, which seems to enter the window, to the head cf the bust. Table with I'ghted lamp at R C. On table diso'dered piles of books. No lights but the lamp and the flickering light from hearth. Student, in deep thought, is discovered seated at table. At rise of curtain slight chtter of chairs and high winds of winter are heard. VOICE OF THE NIGHT-peers through the curtains and speaks: Once again on midnight dreary, there he ponders, weak and weary. Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-- Now he's nodding, nearly napping, now I'll send the fatal tapping, Yes, like some one gently rapping, rapping at his chamber door, disappears and a tapping is heard. STUDENT--rousing himself in chair, What! some visitor, some caller, tapping at my lodging door-- Only this and nothing more, rises, starts to go to door, pauses Ah, distinctly I remember it's the selfsame bleak December. Then as now, each dying ember casts its ghost upon the floor. Oh! that God would send the morrow! Vainly I have sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow- -sorrow for the lost Lenore-- takes portrait of Lenore from table For that rare, that radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore- - Nameless here for evermore, goes to door— movement of curtains Once Upon a Midnight Ah! the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple cur- tain Thrills me, fills me with fantastic terrors never felt before. Now I must, to still the beating of my heart, stand here repeating. What's this visitor entreating entrance at my lodging door ? Who's this visitor entreating entrance at my lodging door? 'Tis some friend, I hope, no more. Fears to hell! my soul grows stronger: he parts curtains and stands in hall looking L hesitate I will no longer. Sir, I pray, or madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and So gently you came rapping, Yes, so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my lodging door, goes L behind Flat, sound of opening street door That I scarce was sure I heard you. What! I open wide the door. Darkness, night and nothing more. Deep into the darkness peering, must I stand here, won- dering, fearing. Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before? Must the silence be unbroken, must the stillness give no token ? Not a single word is spoken, not a whispered word— sound of locking a door VOICE OF THE NIGHT uncanny tone Lenore. STUDENT Re-enters Who has whispered ? Let the murmur back the word echo VOICE OF THE NIGHT Lenore. STUDENT with terror Merely this? Oh God, no more! i Half my heart is dead from yearning, all my soul within f is burning, tapping is heard again What! again I hear a tapping somewhat louder than before. Surely that is, surely that is something at my window lat- tice, goes to window and opens the casement Let me see,then,what thereat is, and this mystery explore-- Let my heart be still a moment, and this mystery explore— 'Tis the wind, thank God, no more. I'll make sure opens lattice and try the shutter. What is all Once Upon a Midnight this flirt and flutter? the wire over bust is pulled and bird seems to fly from window and perch en bust Heaven and earth! a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore! Not the least obeisance made he, not a minute stopped or stayed he, But, with mien or lord or lady, perched above my chamber door. Perch, old bird! is there no more? sits, facing the bird Yes, this ebony bird is gulling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum, and his eyes of blood-red gore. Though thy crest is shorn and shaven, thou, old bird, art sure no craven. Ghastly, grim, and ancient Raven, wandering from the nightly shore, Tell me what thy lordly name is on the night's Plutonian shore! Croak, sir Raven, VOICE OF THE NIGHT Nevermore. STUDENT Much I marvel this ungainly fowl can hear discourse so plainly, Though his answer little meaning, little relevancy bore. For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door-- Bird or beast upon the scuptured bust above his chamber door. Croaking only "Nevermore." Come, sir Raven, sitting lonely, why upon the bust speak only That one word, as if your soul in that one word you do outpour? Will you nothing further utter? will you not a feather flutter? Ah well, I myself must mutter, "Other friends have flown before. On the morrow you will leave me, as my friends have flown before." Croak, sir Raven, VOICE OF THE NIGHT Nevermore. Once Upon a Midnight STUDENT startled How the still, dead night is broken, by reply so aptly spoken. And yet, doubtless what it utters is its only stock and store. Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-- Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore of VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. STUDENT So, sir Raven, still beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, Wait! I'll wheel this cushioned seat in front of you, and bust, and door, changes position of the chair Here upon the velvet sinking, I'll betake myself to linking Fancy unto fancy, thinking what an ominous bird of yore. What a grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore. Means in croaking "Nevermore.'' paus2 Here I sit engaged in guessing, but no syllable addressing To this fowl whose fiery eyes now burn into my bosom's core, pause This and more I sit divining, with my head at ease reclining On the cushion's velvet lining, with the lamplight gloat- ing o'er. But whose velvet violet lining, with the lamplight gloat- ing o'er. She shall press, ah, nevermore, kisses portrait of Lenore pause faint, soft music is heard Ah, methinks the air grows denser, perfumed by some unseen censor. Swung by angels whose faint footfalls tinkle on the tufted floor. He sleeps. Enter ballet of children, three swinging in- . cense, and three with fancy baskets of flowers. They scatter the flowers from the door to Student's chair, making a path. They then dance around Student and Exit. Enter SPIRIT OF LEN- ORE over the path of flowers to Student's chair. She sings first verse and chorus of "Lenore's Answer," and then disappears un- der a dim light. Student awakens with a shriek. STUDENT to Raven Wretch! Oh wretch! thy God hath lent thee-- by these angels he hath sent thee Oace Upon a Midnight Respite--respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore. Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget the lost Lenore. Speak, sir Raven! VOICE OF THE NIGHT Nevermore. STUDENT Prophet, prophet, thing of evil!-- prophet still, if bird or devil! Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-- On this home by horror haunted--tell me truly I implore, Is there, is there balm in Gilead ? Tell me, tell me, I im- plore! VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. STUDENT Prophet, prophet, thing of evil! prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us-- by that God we both adore- - Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore- - Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore? VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. STUDENT in agony Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fieiid, this is the parting! Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore! Leave no black plume as a token, of the lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken! quit that bust above my door! Take thy beak from out my heart! take, take thy form from off my door! he hurls the lighted lamp at the Raven. All lights out Once Upon a Midnight VOICE OF THE NIGHT Never, nevermore. STUDENT is dead. Dim spot-light St^ows bis lifeless form on the fl:or. Spot- light on curtains shows SPIRIT OF LENORE Entering. She sings second verse and chorus of "Lenore's Answer." Immediate- ly after song, between the curtains, in the spot-light, is seen VOICE OF THE NIGHT And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above his chamber door; And its eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming. And the hearth-light o'er him streaming throws his shad- ow on the floor; And his soul indicating student from out the shadow that lies floating on the floor. Shall be lifted--nev€frmore! GRAND FINALE by entire cast, singing "Happy Ending" version of "Lenore's Answer." Our little play about Lenore Is but a wild nightmare of yore; For here they stand all safe and sound, -- Lenore with wedding roses crown'd. Chorus: Your day will come and toil will bring you glory. When fortune's store will cheer your weary heart. Friends come and go as this old world rolls on; / Through loss and gain, Truth will remain! / When foes are dead and gone. / ' CURTAIN *:,:*The complete words and music of "Lenore's Answer", (published by the N. Y. Trend Pub. Co., 652 39th St., Brooklyn, N. Y.,) will be* sent postpaid for 25 cts by the STANTON AMUSEMENT CO., NOR-|' WICH, N. Y. n 25 cents each except as stated 28 Too Much of a Good Thing An interlude for 3 male characters, two blacks. Very laughable and funny. It will fit in nicely in any entertainment, minstrel or other. Will run about 1 5 minutes. 29 Jingles, No. Two Our Jingles, No. One, proved such needed acquisition to the people who wanted "some- thing short for an encore," that we were forced to issue a similar one, of course with entirely different contents, and some of the selections are perhaps a trifle longer, but none are too lengthy. Everything is breezy, catchy, and sure to please and satisfy your hearers. Jingles No. 1 certainly "touched the spot." Singular how long it takes to have the needed things appear. It's a long step from the stage coach to steam car. People wonder how they ever got along without our books. 30 How To Put On a Play. A Complete Guide for Amateurs. It contains Plan for Organizing, Duties of those in Charge, the Plays to Seled;, the People to Choose for Players, Rehearsals and Rehearsing, Hints about Spec- ialties, General Sugge^ions and Good Advice, etc. Price 35 cents. 31 Hpw To Stage a Minstrel Show. A Com- plete Guide for Staging a Minstrel Show with all male, all female, or combined male and female talent, with sugges- tions for Co^umes, arranging Fir^ Part Finale Tableaus, General Advice, in fadt, every detail. Price 35 cents. Stanton Amusement Co., Norwich, N. Y. LIBRARY OF CONGHt&& 016 255 837 7 # All 25 cents each 34 The Servant Problem Solved. A rattling good sketch for two males, one of whom is the funniest kind of a yankee character. Sure to break the spell that binds the most sober faced. Runs 15 to 20 minutes. 35 The Widow and the Widower. A farce that is running over with laughs. Good for 20 minutes. Has a clever old lady character, good old man and a pretty girl. The old man wants the young lady and the old lady wants the old man. 36 Not a Criminal After All. A sketch for 3 males running 30 minutes. Very interesting throughout, showing how happily mistakes sometimes result. In this sketch all three make mistakes. 37 How She Got a Husband. A sketch for 2 males and 2 females. Runs 30 minutes and someting doing every little minute. Two of the characters should be very short and the other two very tall, which makes the sketch all the funnier, but it is not absolutely necessary to have them so. 38 The Doctor's Assistant. An extremely funny farce that runs 30 minutes. The fun occurs in the doctor's office and 4 males assist in making it, the doctor's "country" assistant furnishing about 90 per cent. Besides Reuben, in the cast are Dr. Killmore, a gentleman who is mistaken for a patient, and a policeman. Stanton Amusement Co., Norwich, N. Y.