THE MAYDEW CHARM BY- MERAB EBERLE. PRICE 25 CENTS Eldridge Entertainment House Franklin, Ohio Denver, Colo. GET THIS NEW PATRIOTIC MONOLOG "THE STARS AND STRIPES IN FLANDERS" BY SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS HERE is a ten minute dramatic reading with a climax that will cause a thrill. Suitable for a male or female reader and a number that will strengthen any program. We recommend it for any patriotic celebra- tion, commencement, alumni or civic banquet. The story deals with the manner in which the news of America's entrance into the war was received in a dugout in Belgium. A col- onel of artillery, a priest and an Irish-Ameri- can are the leading characters. You will like it. PRICE 25 CENTS THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKLIN, OHIO • ■ • - DENVER, COLO. THE MAY DEW CHARM By MERAB EBERLE Copyright, 1918, Eldridge Entertainment House. -PUBLISHED BY- ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE, FRANKIIN, - OHIO DENVER, COLO. h & 4$ CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES JSrKIWG — Clothed in delicate green draperies and wearing a rainbow colored scarf which can be used with excellent effect in the entering dance. She carries a wand tipped with a tinsel star. ZEPHYR — A tiny youth (a small girl may take this part) dressed in the costume of a jester. Carries striped ivand in hand. CLARA, MARY, BETTY, SARAH— Dressed in the style of the day in dainty lawn or organdy. In the last scene they wear white draperies and ivear wreaths of smilax in their hair. One bears the satin cushion on which the May Queen's crown of apple blossoms rests. MAY QUEEN — A tall girl of natural charm. She wears a white draped dress edged witn'pink apple hirs- soms. QUEEN BUTTERCUP— Dressed in yellow with a yellow wreath on head. Carries yellow wand. Attendant fairies are dressed in a similar fashion with exception of wreath and wand. The dresses are much prettier if made to the knees. QUEEN ROSE — Short skirted frock of pink. Crepe paper makes lovely petals. She wears a wreath of pink roses on her head and carries a pink wand. The attend- ant fairies are dressed in a similar fashion with excep- tion of tvand and wreath. QUEEN VIOLET — Dressed in short skirted violet costume and wears wreath of violets. She carries a vio- let wand. Her attendant fairies carry no wands and ivear no wreaths. TMP96-0J72 56 • The May Dew Charm. SCENE I. (A lovely woodland scene at dawn. Four girls are bathing their faces in May dew.) Mary — A jolly superstition this. Betty — No superstition. Why I as faithfully be- lieve that this Maydew will efface my freckles as I do that some shall go to heaven. Clara — I for one sincerely hope so. (Sighs) The last time that he came he looked at me so closely that I know he saw this spot above my left eyebrow. Betty — How, I should like to know? You wear your hair completely daubed over that one eye. Sarah — He and forever he. To every freckle's dis- appearing they sing its dirge with reiterated comments on the "him." Such vanity! Mary — Why waste your time then? If we are fool- ish, are you not doubly so? We have a purpose. Sarah — So have I. Betty — Oh, tell us. Clara — (Doubtingly) Who can he be? Sarah — Again, oh life alive, he and forever he. I speak of no man. Why I wash my face in this Maydew that I may for just a moment think, that fairies and my dreams are true. Betty — What nonsense. Mary — Not half so foolish as you think. What is this life worth without its dreams? We build our Span- ish castles, one and all. Though some so poorly wrought are as beggar huts. Clara — I wish that we could crown ourselves a queen of May. Betty — The very thing. Sarah — Who would she be? Mary — For our own sakes let us choose some one that is not present here. Let us have a real queen. One who has a regal bearing. 3 U The May Dew Charm Clara — Well, we like that. Mary — (Laughing.) I meant no slander, but let us hurry back and on our way will plan who'll be our queen. We can, at least, be courtiers. Betty — Let's have it here. This stump would make a splendid ground work for the throne and this dead sapling the very Maypole. It is all ready but a few col- ored streamers. Clara — But we have no maypole dancers trained. Mary — We'll have a pole at any rate. What would a May queen do without a pole. She would deem hers an empty realm indeed. (They exit amid a clatter of laughter and talk. Bird calls are then very much in evidence. Spring enters and dances in a delightful fashion.) Spring — At the lightsome, merry beat Of my dainty windshod feet, All the gates let down their bars, All the meadows blossom stars. In a wondrous, purple mass, Violets dot the new grown grass, Fountains bubble, bluebirds sing, I am lovely, I am Spring. (Pauses in her dance.) Oh, what a place is this. Just the spot in which I and my fairies at the sun's high stand shall celebrate. Here we can dance and sing. (Calls.) Rose, Violet and Buttercup, come quickly here. (Queen Rose and Buttercup enter, courtesying to the queen.) Queen Rose — Your bidding, merry, merry Spring? Spring — Wait but a moment. I called also Violet. Queen Buttercup — As I came hurrying along the airy road, Violet I saw covering up dead Winter's eyes with purple blossoms, and so much engrossed was she, that she heard not my greeting as I passed. (Queen Violet enters.) Queen Violet — Zephyr just told me that he heard you call. The May Dew Charm 5 Spring — Now my flower fairies, all I have to say is, at the noontide I would wish you here with your subjects all, to celebrate the advent of the May. Queen Rose — A lovely thought. Come, let us hasten on our way. My fairies are at many points today. CURTAIN SCENE II. (The same woodland. It is near the noontide. The girls are again seen. This time they are fixing the throne. Streamers are already attached to the Maypole.) Mary — This is such a lovely, lovely spot that I fancy fairies often pass this way. Clara — The dew's all gone. Betty — Silly, of course, it's almost noon. Mary — I'm very glad that we chose Catherine for our queen. She is so lovable that I do not mind the thought of paying her homage. Sarah — Look, here are rose petals. Some one else must have passed this way. Clara — And here's a violet. Mary — And a buttercup. Betty — Why, girls, the grass is covered with them and they were not here a few short hours ago. Sarah — Fairies and witchcraft. This spot breathes magic. Mary — What a place to crown a queen. Betty — Come for the hour approaches and we must put on our courtier robes. (Exeunt .) (Spring enters and stands well to front center of the stage. The rose, violet and buttercup fairies follow their respective queens. The rose fairies take positions at the right, the violet fairies at the left, and the butter- cup fairies at the rear. After the lines have become sta- tionary the queen flowers stand at attention three feet to the center front of the respecive rows.) 6 The May Dew Charm Spring — This troubles me. Mortal has been here since we left. Mark you the throne and see the sapling with those long streamers. Queen Violet — Mortals would call that a Maypole and they dance about it, circling round and round. (Ad- vances to Maypole and lifts streamers.) See, every one a ribbon takes, and weaving in and out they dance, mak- ing a pretty sight, as pretty sights of mortals go. (Enter Zephyr.) Zephyr — Hello, what's up? And here is Spring. I have not seen you since we came down the weather road together. Spring — And Zephyr, jolly, ever-laughing Zephyr, what have you been doing? Zephyr — I've been busy. Never have I seen so many mischievous spring frosts fluttering around. Last night I met a very vicious little fellow, but I melted him. I just blew upon him thus and so. Queen Violet — Oh, be careful. You will break my little flowerlets from their stems. Zephyr — Zephyr never hurt a violet. Why he loves them almost as he does the Violet Queen. (Ripple of laughter and wise nods among the violet fairies.) Queen Rose — Just yesterday you told me that fond Zephyr's heart never so gay was as when near me. Queen Buttercup — And y ester eve, just as the sun was sinking in the West, he said that earth needed no sun when I was here. (All laugh.) Spring — A fickle lover. (Zephyr starts to leave.) Where are you going? Zephyr — (Waving hands.) Such an assemblage is beautiful, but it grows confusing. (Sighs.) I wish I did not care so much for beauty. I must go. Spring — But wait a moment. I had planned a cele- bration of May's advent now but three hours ago. But mortal since was here. There is the throne they raised and here their Maypole tall, round which they dance strange dances. Zephyr — So, just so. Straight here I blew from a laughing crowd of maidens. I had but paused to touch The May Dew Charm 7 the tall one's curls. (Ripple of laughter from fairies. Zephyr pauses embarrassed.) Spring — Speak on. Zephyr — Then don't let them interrupt me. (Spring lifts up her hand indicating a desire for silence.) I heard these pretty maidens say that they had planned a Mayday celebration, and mourn the hollow mockery of it, because no one among their number knew how to dance the Maypole dance. Spring — But you said they were laughing. Zephyr — Trying to make the best of a sorry situa- tion. Spring — And do you think they mean to have their celebration here? Zephyr — Their Maypole's here. Their throne. Queen Violet — Depart we then. Whenever mortal comes then we must go. Queen Rose — Ah, but their gardens are lovely homes to stay in. Zephyr — I would not go. Spring — What shall we do? Zephyr — Hide for the moment. Let their queen mount on their throne. Then will I bring a sleep to them. You can then have your revels. They will but think they dream. Queen Buttercup — And let us learn the Maypole dance. If fairy feet can not unravel the mysteries of it no mortal's could. Spring — But are you sure that you can make them sleep ? Zephyr — As sure as that robins sing in April days. Spring — Where did you find this precious secret? Zephyr — When I was but a few years younger and went into the witch of Endor's cave. I saw her take a lit- tle berry, crush it and say: "Breathe it my beauties," to three young maidens who sat there and all tumbled off into an instantaneous sleep. Then the witch called up spirits out of the brimstone depths and creatures from the topmost stratas of the air and those maidens saw nothing. Though I heard one tell the others what she dreamed and the dream was as the reality. 8 The May Dew Charm Spring — And the berries, where are they? Zephyr — I have gathered a few in my wanderings recently. (Takes a few from his pocket and shoivs them to Spring ivho nods. Music is heard in the distance. All listen ) Here they come now with their coronation crowd. We'll hide. CURTAIN SCENE III. (Girls in white draperies stand on either side of throne on ivhich May queen sits. One lifts the crown from the bearer's cushion and places it on the queen's head. Just as it is put in place, Zephyr appears, though he is supposedly invisible to the coronation party, and scatters a powder. Instantly langour manifests itself.) May Queen — Why I feel that I must sleep. (Head nods and she sleeps.) Clara — The whole world reels. Mary — Slumber as dark as midnight takes hold upon me. Betty — This is most remarkable. (One by one the party succombs.) (Enter Spring.) Spring — Poor sleeping May Queen and her corona- tion party fair, bright may your dreams be and very beautiful. Zephyr — I can make them very strange. Instead of you dancing I can make them see purple and yellow moons whirling in mad gyrations, or as many spinning gigantic snowfiakes parti-colored. Spring — No, let them see us as we are, fancying us us only as a dream when they awaken. (From the center back appear the buttercup fairies. From the respective sides come the violet and rose fai- ries headed by their queens. They throw clouds of col- ored papers into the air.) The May Dew Charm 9 Spring — Lovely golden flowerlets, little suns that shine in the green meadows and break the gloom of win- ter's thraldom, my rose fairies with your lithesome bod- ies, join in the merriment and Queen Violet lead out along the rhythmic dances your own fair subjects. (In ec- stacy.) Had ever queen a realm as fair as this? (At this point a drill is introduced.) 1. 12 girls should participate in this drill. They dance to front, hands clasped high, separate, six dance to left and six to right, around to the back, circling around the corners, rather than turning square corners. 2. First two to meet at center back join hands and dance to front. Others following in couples. 3. First couple turn to right, second couple to the left. Circle to back. Meet as before and come down in fours. 4. At front all left face and follow girl at extreme left. Dance in large circle about stage. 5. When circle is complete join hands and reverse, circling once about stage. 6. Drop hands and follow girl who was leader in figure 4, winding a spiral. 7. Unwind spiral. 8. When line is again straight across front of stage dance backward in line formation to rear. 9. Repeat figure 1. 10. Repeat figure 2 and break up when at rear of stage. If a more elaborate drill is desired any fancy drill may be given.* Spring — And now the Maypole. There it stands un- challenged by the grace of fairy feet. Come forth as many of you as are hours which flit between the height of noon and the dark mid of night. ( 12 fairies advance, 4 from each division.) Take up the gay hued ribbons and let your feet run fleet as brooklets, as light as -We can recommend "The Butterflies Revel," to be found in the Help-U Drill Book for Intermediate Grades. Price 30 cents. 10 The May Dew Charm Zephyr's gentlest winds. Come Zephyr, give them of your store of grace. Wave light your wand. Zephyr — I'll wish them music to which, if their feet were heavy as old Colossus,' still would they dance. (Ex- quisite music is immediately heard and the fairies take iip their Maypole round. The remainder may sivay in rythm with the music. When the dance is finished the May Queen shoivs signs of waking.) Zephyr — (Pointing toward the Mayday party of girls.) They awaken. Let us disband. Spring — Yes, our fairy revels have their end. Old Time is stronger than our magic power. (All fairies exit.) May Queen — (Awaking.) A lovely, lovely sight. (Looking about her.) Why, you are sleeping, all of you. Such a beauteous revel as you've missed! (Shakes Clara.) Clara — (Awaking.) Oh, happy happy day, oh lovely sight. (Spies Mary asleep and rouses her.) Mary — So wonderful. Why I had never dreamed that aught could be so fair. (All waken.) May Queen — You were all sleeping when a fairy band displayed their revels before my very throne. Zephyr was here, and Spring, and such a crew of radiant fairies as never mortal eye had seen before. Clara — I was not sleeping. Mary — Not I. Betty— Nor I. Sarah — I saw them. May Queen — But you were wrapped in slumber most profound. Sarah — Well then I dreamed it. All— And I. Betty — 'Twas true as dreams are true. Mary — As real as May Queen's realms. Mary — As true as the tale that tells of the May dew's charms, which gives it the power to wipe away Nature's unkind blemishes. The May Dew Charm 11 May Queen — Well, then you dreamed and I among you. It is enough to have seen, whether in dream or out. Now let us hie away. But remember always to come here unto this spot when it is May. A CURTAIN SUGGESTIONS This play is written especially for college, boarding school and high school pupils. It forms an excellent background for gymnastic work, ivhich can be used most effectively in the last scene. The drill or dance should not be of more than ten minutes in length, however. The scene is preferably out-of-doors although it may be worked out on a smaller scale upon a stage. If given at night colored lights can be used with a bewilderingly beautiful effect in the fairy scenes, especially during the Maypole dance. The Maypole should be made to look as much like a sapling as possible and should be in the scene from the start, but with the streamers hidden. The throne in the last scene should be draped in white and placed upon a dais. Spring, Zephyr and the fairies should be as grace- ful as though they really came from fairyland. Music of a soft and appealing nature will enhance the beauty of the play greatly. NEW RED CROSS PLAY FOR GIRLS CAPTAIN ANNE of the RED CROSS 0R- How the Militant Ghosts Saved Millville Here is a genuine Red Cross Comedy for 10 girl characters. A happy play that will send your Chapter over the top with a smile on any kind of a drive. "Capt. Anne of the Red Cross" has just been written by Miss Merab Eberle and while dignifying Ahe great Order of Mercy the act- ion proceeds with a spirit of fun that will make a hit in any community. The plot deals with an attempt to destroy a munition factory by foreign plotters and how the girls of the surgical dressing class, robed in their gowns, frightened them away. A welcome relief in these days of sober numbers on entertainment programs. One interior setting. Easily costumed and staged. Time about one hour and a half. -^^-^PRICE 25 CENTS^^^- THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKLIN, OHIO also 'KftaS 1 DENVER, COLO. THE NEW COSTUME BOOK HERE AT LAST IS A BOOK WHICH WILL BE WELCOMED BY EVERYONE WHO HAS AN ENTERTAINMENT IN CHARGE AMATEURS' COSTUME BOOK '-^ By ELIZABETH GUPTILL DESCRIBES ACCURATELY HOW TO MAKE OVER 100 COSTUMES FOR Mother Goose Characters Fairies, Witches, Goblins Spirit of Christmas Characters of Flowers Patriotic Personalities Elves, Brownies and Gnomes A Variety of Dolls Little Folks of Long Ago Grecian Maids and Matron Characters of Comedy The Four Seasons Holiday Characters Different Nationalities Angels, Cupids, etc. etc. ILLUSTRATED FROM ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS Useful to enterprising mothers who are called upon to costume their children for amateur entertainments or fancy dress parties. ::::::: PRICE PAPER, 50 CENTS CLOTH, 75 CENTS ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKLIN. OHIO % ^ ^ », DENVER, COLO. L LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 215 126 5 # THE BIG SUCCESS OF LAST SEASON "Somewhere in France" By SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS /H STIRRING patriotic drama of the World ("* War in 3 acts. 4 male, 3 female char- acters. All strong parts. One interior scene. This play has been rewritten and elaborated to play a full evening. Last season it achieved an instantanteous hit with amateur players, being produced with great success. The action takes place in the home of Pierre Graudet, a few miles from the trenches and graphically shows why America went into the war. Two sons have been killed in battle and Jean, the youngest son, is blinded by a shell. Mary Dale, an American Red Cross nurse, is attached to a base hospital near the home of the Graudets and her personal care of Jean has ripened into love for the brave young Frenchman who has won his Medal of Honor. The capture of a German aviator, who is com- pelled to land near the home, furnishes a thrilling and dramatic climax at the end of the second act. The dialog is intensely patriotic and one critic has termed the play "a classic." A splendid play for a Red Cross benefit, or to raise money for any war activity. Our most popular play last season. PRICE 25 CENTS THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKLIN, OHIO also '•"SsL, DENVER, COLO.