i^o T^r^JiJ^^ E!H!Cs:-A.!bTarEr). PS 3067 .T4 fl68 ^ Copy 1 Bakers NOVeLTIES 1:^ APOLLO'S ORACLE. COPWIGHT, 1889. BY WAl-TEH H. BAKER & SO- I A. W. PINERO'S PLAYS. I ylv Uniformly Bound in Stiff Paper Covers, jki Price, 50 cents each. (Us >AV tear peilonnHnce. This publictition was orijiiiially intended tor tlie benetit of iAV ^f3 re;ulers only, but the increasing demand lor tlie i»lays for actins^ purposes has nf* /'iV far outrun their merely literary success. With the idea of placing this excel- yiV .1* lent series within the reach of the largest possible number of amateur clubs, we 'f * /iV have obtained authority to otter them for acting purposes at an author's roy- iiV W altvof K^? Ten Dollars for Each Performance. ^|^ lis rate does not apply to professional performances, for which terms will be iflW le known on application. ^|^ (is (is The publication of the plays of this xwpular author, made feasible by the new Copyright Act, under which his valuable stage rights can be fully protected, enables us to offer to amateur actors a series of modern pieces of the highest class, all of which have met with distinguished success in the leailijig English an_Fo,,r AoU, By Vf/' ^k'd 1*1-117 T-I^"D'RV "H'O'PQ'P I '^ Comedy in Three Acts. Bv Arthur \ff •'••"■^ nxjnOTL n^^JE^OC* \ w. Pineuo. Ten male, five female char- l*A*l • ' acters. Scenery, two interiors and an ex- \ff terior ; cf»stumes, modern. This piece is best known in this country through the ^1*1 admirable performance of Mr. John Hare, who produced it in all the principal \ff cities. Its story presents a clever satire of false {philanthropy, and is full of k'|% interrst and Inimor. Well adapted for amateurs, bv whom it has been success- \ff fully actrd. Plays two hours and a half. (1892.) V/ T A"nV Rr^T TIMXTTTT TT I -^ Pl^v in Four Acts. By Arthur W. W ^^^^^ DKJKJiy lirui^* \ PixERo. Eight male and seven female char- y' ■ acters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, four VmS interiors, not ensy. A play of powerful sympathetic interest, a little sombre in .J^ key, but not vmrelieved by humorous touches. (1892.) w T'fJI'C ATUTAyOlM^v I A Farcical Romance in Three Acts. By Arthur 1 ri£L I\i\irS.Z^KJL^O» ^y Pknero. .Seven male and five feinale char- — acters. Costumes, modern; scenery, an exterior and an interior, not at lill difficult. This admirable farce is too well known through its recent peifunnance by the Lyceum 'J'heatre (.'ompany, New i'ork, to need deseriiitiou. It is especially recommended to young ladies' schools and colleges. (1895.) A RTHU n W. Pr>KRO. Ten male and nine female characters. Costumes, modern society : scenery, three interiors. A very amusing piece, in- genious in construction, and brilliant in dialogue. (18l)2.) TiAlMDV "nir'K" I ^ Farce in Three Acts. By Arthur W. Pixero. UXXLyl^ I I-'IV-.IV* Seven male, four female characters. Costumes, mod- ' ern ; scenery, two interiors. This very amusing piece was another success in the New York and Boston theatres, and has been ex- tensively played from manuscript by amateurs, for whom it is in every respect suited. It provides an unusual number of capital character parts, is very funny, and an excellent acting piece. Plays two hours and a half. (1893.) ''^ JAN «i 1898 '^J APOLLO'S ORACLE AN ENTERTAINMENT IN ONE ACT !■ BY ESTHER B; TIFFANY I f Author of "A Rice Pudding," "Young Mr, Pritchard, "A Model Lover," "Bachelor Maids," "A Blind Attachment," "Anita's Trial," etc. BOSTON ^^^^J^//^.^A^p^^ 1897 ^c^qn^^^^ APOLLO'S ORACLE. CHARACTERS. Priestess. Maidens — any number. Attendant. A Young Boy. COSTUMES. The Priestess and Chorus wear Grecian tunics, and upon their heads fillets of leaves. The Boy also is filleted, and is dressed in a short kirtle and sandals, fastened, as high as the knee, with white thongs. Copyright, 1897, by Walter H. Baker & Co. F. H. OILSON COMPANY, PRINTERS AND BOOKSlNOeUS, BOSTON, U. a. A. /// APOLLO'S ORACLE. Scene. — The stage may represent a temple, or may be less ambitiously draped with some simple hangings by way of a back-ground. A Grecian altar, festooned with flowers, stands in the centre of the stage. On the altar burns a low flame. From without come the voices of maidens singing, and drawing nearer as they sing. AIR. — Priestess' Chorus No. I. OPENING CHORUS. 'Iphigenia in Tauris." — Gluck. I X -i --^ ;s- m Bring gar-lands fresh, bring 8t |: *- r gar - lands fair. *^ Our :F=*^: Sv^t— II ^ I— J r^^-l- :#i^ 1c* jtzt --% J ux -m — •- ^ j^,^ (5)- U-i te-ts al tars white to twine ; And come with 9t H -",■. W #, T ^T, ^^d ^ j, i^ 1 i i -($(- ilTET^g « llEEEl: fes - tal chant and prayer To grace A - 9i=^^M=F ::tzf:zi:1=piii:1=t:=::^=p:: I5v_i-:: :F=q=F (3) APOLLO S ORACLE. 9z=4 pol - lo's shrine; To grace A - pol - lo's shrine. ip^g -T-Jf-irS-i X=^- 1 -^ --=]- :-^: {Enter a Boy strewing Jlowers^ followed by Two Maidens singing. Then the Priestess bearing flowers^ then more Maidens singing.^ The priestess of the votive train, Now slow approaching see. Oh, to her offerings at thy fane, Apollo, gracious be ! Apollo, gracious be ! ( They deck the altar.) Thy purest, whitest lilies yield. Oh pine-encircled lake. Thy sunny wealth of bloom, oh field, Oh wood, thy fern and brake ! Oh wood, thy fern and brake ! Bring garlands fresh, bring garlands fair, Our altars white to twine. And come with festal chant and prayer. To grace Apollo's shrine. To grace Apollo's shrine. APOLLO S ORACLE. ( The Priestess stands behind the altar a7id lifts her arins in supplication. The Attendants sing.^ No. 2. AIR. — From, ^'■IpMgenia in Taui'is." — Gluck. r^rg- ;e5 ^-^^ 4 -^— «- i Phoe - bus ! Phoe - bus A - pol -(22- -^- lo! wm ja: -iS*- -^ :t: -2^-T- 1 ■ ^ i^Then they turn toward the audience and chant. ^ i e; Hast thou a ques tion, mortal, as jes- \ kitf §±6: -($) B (^ question which can he answered by yes or no is asked by so7ne one in the audience. The Priestess lifts her arms in supplication., and the Attendants invoke Apollo.^ as before,^ No. 2. ;sE. Phoe A -&- -f^.- .09 E_ iti=r} bus Phoe - bus A - pol lo! m -0 fZ I APOLLO S ORACLE. (^Then the Priestess takes a scroll from the altar and appears to write o7t it -with a charred sticky while the Attendants sing-.) No. 3. AIR. — From ''Iphigenia in Tauris." — Gluck. priest - ess Write the mys - tic screed, So that p -i=- ■| — r .-^=j^: t=^ M--^ :^=^=t mor - tal eye may read 9^i=te- -©"- =t=p: :p=^=p^FJ^=p; -9- -•- f::=t= Oh priestess, write the ^T— [ m- mys - tic, mys - tic screed, That mor - tal eye may read. I — -I- paEj^EEFEEEE^SEp^EF^EE^ ^^^^f^^^==^f APOLLO S ORACLE. ( Then the Priestess reads the answer in a solemn voice and hands the scroll to the Boy, who f asses it to some person in the audience to hand to the questioner. The Attendants the7t chant as before^ '•'■Hast thou a question^ mortal^ ask it ?iow^'^ and again when the question has been askcd^ invoke Apollo,^ and tell the Priestess to ''''Write the mystic screed.'' She gives her answer^ and the questions are continued until the scrolls are exhausted. Then the Attendants chant.) :g -ez- The oracles are dumb. SIeb; 9 ( Then they sing to the music of the processional — No. i. ) Now, priestess, end the mystic rite, And quench the sacred fire ; Return to far Olympus' height, God of the golden lyre, God of the golden lyre. And when again thine altars smoke. Again thy face unveil, While thy protection we invoke, All hail, Apollo, hail ! All hail, Apollo, hail ! (^They circle about the altar and Jile out.) 8 APOLLO's ORACLE. Note of Explanation. The answers are written beforehand, each on a small scroll of bark or paper, and are placed on the 'altar and selected at random. An annomicement should be made before the curtain rises, that at the proper time, Apollo will reply to any question that can be answered by yes or no. The following forms of reply are suggested with the idea of indicating the ways in the which the oracular replies may be varied. With a little ingenuity, and taking care to keep the answers sufficiently vague, they may be multiplied indefinitely. ANSWERS. Tremble and ask no further. Because of the follies of thy heart, Apollo hath no answer for thee. Too well Apollo loves thee to say yes. Yea and nay and nay and yea. If sincere, yea be thine answer. If thou triflest with Apollo, nay. What's best concealed, stays unrevealed. The first stranger thou meetest on the morrow shall tell thee. Question not high Olympus, but thine own heart. Thy illustrious race hath but to question, and Olympus ever thunders yes. So glorious a fate awaits thee, oh mortal, trifle not with questions such as these. When hast thou sacrificed to Apollo, that thou darest ap- proach his shrine with vain request ? Apollo knoweth, and knowing, is silent. Count o'er thy head the passing of the crow, three bring thee yes, five bring thee no. This night shall Pallas Athene, the all-wise, come to thee in a golden dream and give thee gracious answer. The End. NEin£ Pl-MVS. THE LiniT OF THE LAW. A Drama in Five Acts. By JUSTIN ADAMS, Author of "Teiss," "The Rag-Picker's Child," «* At the Picket Line," etc. Seven male and five female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors and two exteriors — not at all difficult. This is a piece with a strong melodramatic interest and plenty of comedy. Ike Toot, a base-ball crank, Jimmy Keyes, a " tough," Oristy Dunlap, a sentimental spinster, and Biddy, an importation, constitute a great low-comedy team. Richard Dunlap and Teresa are strong "heavy" characters; Robert Dunlap and Beatrice, sympathetic leads, and Trissy an admirable juvenile. The story of this piece is ingenious and absorbing, and the interest well sustained. The third act is especially strong, alike in interest, sympathy and humor, and presents a decided scenic novelty, not at all difficult. Price . . , . 16 cents. Synopsis. Act I. — Biddy's ankles. Bob's decision. A family row. Love and lawyers. "A three-bagger." Father and son. " When I was a boy." Flesh and blood. "An insult to my dead mother." Richard the righteous. A spot on the son. The deserted wife. " It is true, for I can witness it." Act II. — Cristy and Emanuel. "Take it straight." Miss Bidelia Mahonoy. The check for ten thousand Playing with fire. An appeal. Bob leaves the firm. Ike's adventure. The lobster salad. The false son. "Caught at last." A woman in the case. Off to Montreal. The woiiderf ul telephone. The pho- tograph The discovery. The saint a devil. Ruined. " You are my father still." Act III. —A plot. Trissy and Santa Clans. The good Samaritan. "Peace on earth and good will toward men." The shadow on the blind. Hanging up the stocking Asa in a new role. A change of heart. The marriage certificate. Jimmy Keyes and the turkey. The robbery. " One strike — out." Saved. "A true wife and mother in the sight of God and man." Act IV. — Montreal. A double play Bob and Teresa. The "diamond." A clue. A pious fraud. Bagging the cat. "I love you." Richard again. " Who is that man ? " Retribution. " My God ! It is Bob." Act v.— Biddy and the waterfall. " Striking a pudding." Asa as a "boss." Beatrice and Bob. Ike does detective work. A misunderstanding. " I am his promised wife." The net closes. " Will Ike never come ? " Betrayed. The trap sprung. " Behind prison bars." UNDER PROTEST. A Comedy in One Act. By JEANNE RAYMOND BIDWELL. Two male and two female characters. Costumes, modern; scene, an inte- rior. This is practically a monologue for Ballard, a very absent-minded personage who carries most of the interest of the play, though Louise, his daughter, has a certain share. With a good light comedian as Ballard, the piece is extravagantly funny. Very simple to get up, perfectly refined and imiversal in the appeal of its humor. Plays twenty-five minutes. Price . « • . 15 cents. NEW ENTERTAINMENTS. t| THE BOOK OF DRILLS. PART III. A series of entertainments for parlor or hall by Mary B. Horne, autlior of " The Book of Drills," Parts I and II ; " The Peak Sisters," •' Prof. Baxter's Great Invention," etc. Price 30 Cents. CONTENTS. Looking Backward Drill For eight performers, ladies or gentlemen, or both. Living Advertisements . . . For a large number of performers. The Dwarfs' Dance For four to eight boys. Gulliver and the Liliputians up to Date . . . For ten boys. THE BOOK OF DRILLS. PART IV. A series of entertainments for parlor, stage or lawn by Margaret Fezandie, Mrs. L. K. Rogers and Nellie E. Case. Price, 30 Cents. CONTENTS. The Tennis Drill For sixteen girls. The Soap-Bubble Drill For sixteen girls. The Harvesters For eight girls and eight boys. The Bread-and-Milk Drill .... For very little children. A PAIR OF LUNATICS. A DRAMATIC SKETCH IN ONE SCENE. By W. R. WALKES. For one lady and one gentleman. A clever and amusing little piece, suitable for stage or platform. Requires no scenery, and plays about twenty minutes. Price, 15 Cents. NEiA£ RLKVS. The Wrecker's Daughter. A Drama in Three Acts. By B. F. MOORE, Author of '* Captaik Jack," " The Irish Agekt," etc. Five male and two female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interiors. A very simple and effective domestic melodrama, its scenes laid on the coast of Maine, All the characters are good and all of nearly equal promi- nence ; that of Pat Murphy being a particularly strong Irish low-comedy part. This piece is especially adapted for the use of younger amateurs who want something strong with plenty of chance to act. Situations thrilling. Not a parlor play or at all suited to people in search of a quiet piece. Price .... 15 cents. Synopsis. Act I. — The child of the wreck. A Pat reply. The revenue cutter. Pat's sea-legs. Essie's secret. "Let her choose between us." The detective. "A piece of nice fat pork." The Spy '. *' Don't move or I'll fire ! " At Bay. Act II. — Bill's visitor. "The only bright spot in my life." A clue. Identified. " I want no reward for doing my duty." An intruder. Pat and Lucy. Jealousy. The wrecker. " For the last time." A double traitor. The false light. Just in time. Saved! Act III. — The trial. Essie decides. '• I will remain with the only father I have ever known." The betrayal. Revenged. Phil and Essie. Pat's pro- posal. The license. " A quiet little nap." The end of all I LOVE IN A LIGHTHOUSE. A Farce in One Act. By ROSEMARY BAUfl, Author of " That Box of Cigarettes." Three male and three female characters. Costumes and scenery easy. This is a very pretty and delicately humorous play by the author of the popular '* That Box of Cigarettes," by which its general character can be judged. The ladies' parts are especially strong, — Polly, the "bound" girl, and Mrs. Capel Robinson, a local Mrs. Malaprop, affording excellent comedy. Its story is very original and humorous and its dialogue particularly good. A capital play for hall or parlor. Price . • . . 15 cents. NE3n£ PLHYS. A RIVAL BY REQUEST. A Comedy in Three Acts. By B. L. C. GRIFFITH. Author of ' A Bachelor's Divorce." Six male and five female characters. Costumes, modern and appropriate: scenery, two interiors. This is a comedy with an exceptionally well-constructed and interesting plot, abundant incident, and an unusual variety of character and humor. Its misunderstandings are ingenious and unforced and extremely laugh- able, and Pierson's confusion of Lord Anthony McMullin and Alexander Mug- gins, a source of unfailing mirth. In its well-marked contrasts and uniformly strong character it otfers a peculiarly advantageous vehicle for the talent of a good amateur club. Plays two hours and a half without a dull moment. The dialogue is particularly rapid and brilliant. Price .... 15 cents. Synopsis. Act I. — Pierson and the cornet. Getting out of an engagement. The Briggs family. Smythe's English valet. On the move. Muggins. The lord or the lackey. Briggs and the bargain counter. Lord McMullin. A sad mistake. Love at first sight. The new boarders. The plot thickens. A crisis. Engaged to two women at once. Bad for Pierson. Act II. — Cutting the knot. A useless servant. A lord for a lover. More misunderstandings. Briggs' nightmare. Nobody's fool. The ladies combine. Husbands on strike. Defiance. Briggs and the ballet. A three-cornei'ed row. Pierson explains. The two McMuUins. Revelations. A broken engagement. Another. Worse for Pierson. Act III. —Pierson in a plight. The two B's on a bat. "It's our wives' fault." An artful stratagem. The telegram. A plot that didn't work. Fixing it up. Muggins on thin ice. The two fiancees. Smythe's return. McMullin's restoration to the nobility. Worst for Pierson. Explanations. A show of hands. Pairing off. Muggins goes back to private life. The band plays " Annie Laurie." THE REVOLVING WEDGE. A FOOTBALL Romance in One Act. By THORNTON M. WARE and GEORGE P. BAKER. Five male and three female characters. Costumes and scenery very simple. A capital farce, particularly adapted for Thanksgiving Day performances. Its excellent and original plot cleverly utilizes the universal mania for football, and builds up from this foundation an admirable progression of incidents leading to a mo-t laughable conclusion. Its method will at once suggest that of the popu- lar " Obstinate Family," and it can be safely recommended to any one who has liked that piece. Plays nearly an hour. Price .... 15 cents. /^.-^^ i HITAr .^TX? ATT7 1 A. Farce in Three Acts. By Arthur ^V. MYlAVjiO 1 IVf\ 1 i-"* I PiNERO. Twelve male, four female ebar- acters. Costumes, modern; scenery, all — ,WVti^. ^w„ . , , ^, jW lor The.merits of this excellent and amusing piece, one of the mostpopu- m ^r of its author's plays, are well attested by long and repeated runs in tlie ..w n"^-incipal American theatres. Tt is of the highest class ot dramatic writing, aiwl ^(^ Ts I pr«)ariously funny, and at tlie same time unexceptionable in tone Its entire ^J^ i\ su tab Hty for amateu'r performance has been shown by hundreds of svk'I^ P'^- <|> ? ductions from manuscript during the past three years. Plays two hours and .J. \^ a half. (1892.) ff? ^I\ -TTLTTT IVT/^TrkTJTnTTQ I A T>rama in Four Acts. By Arthur W. ^(> W THE NOlOKlvJUO Pinero. Eight male and five female charac- ^iw m itimc •c-D-DC-R;rTT*tJ ters; scenery, all interiors. This IS a'' proh ^p r-R? MRS^ EBBSMnrl. iem"playcontiuuingtheseriestoAvhich"lhe ^aw iAV I Profligate "and "The Second ]\Irs.Tanqueray' ff^ \il belong, and while strongly dramatic, and '^^^^^^'yil^^^^^l^^ '(iSSj )'"''"'' ^^^ A\ fJlS amateur performance. It is recommended tor Keadmg dubs. (18Jo.) ^p /|> ^TTT-. T>o/^T7T ir A XT? I A Play in Four Acts. By AuTiirR W. Ptxe- ^J: >AV THE PROFLIGA i t. j{o. seven male and five female characters, m ^f^ _^ 1 Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate; ^T^ h\ cn<5tnmes modern This is a piece of serious interest, powerfully dramatic m ^1^ W f,^^Sln\;S^^^^^^^ An admirable play, but not suited lor ama- ^'^ /|\ teur performance. (1892.) rW^ /i\ ^TTT- O/'^ILJ/^rM ■R;rTQ*r-DTrQ fl^ is in all respects suitable for amateurs. (1894.) ' M/^ XUT7 QTTrmVrn a pi ay in Four Act.s. By Arthur W. \ ..iv irlE. ^r.l.-WiNl-' PiNEKo. Eight male and five female char- k| acters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three \V nteriors. This well-known and powerful ^ii ^ %vol1 aiiiffiil for fiiiiatenr nei- "r J^l^ MRS, TANQUERAY. })lay is not well suited for amateur p« its forniance. It is offere.l to M, . pi, , eio's i..imliors miioiig llie reading pl.biciii \tM \V |«f». to the ae,„and which it. -vide diseu.».oh :.. a,, artgi l;l.'>^>- ;-i';„-;j; >jj M^' SA37EET LAVENDER. I ^ "^S^i!,!" ;i:}^.X^Jl,£l^Z!l '^. ^k'M » characters. Pcene, a single interior, the M^ yf c-miefor all three acts; costumes, modern and fa.«hionable. This well known ^i^ i|> anrpopula r pece is admirably suited to amateur players by whom it. I^hs l)een \f/ yf oneu^Alen^ the last few years. Its story is strongly sympathetic, and its ^|^ Vl/ comed*y interest abundant and strong. (1893.) Vf V^^ TMT7 TTTVTTTQ I A Comedy in Four Acts. T^Y Atjthur A\^ PtneRO Six Mf ^1^ THE llMllb, ,iiale and seven fem,Mlecb;,r.'.cters. ^/^j^'-'^V ^^ l fi It M/ Vf ^ gant interior; costumes, modern and taslnonable. An w entertaining piece, of strong dramatic interest and admirable satirical humor, y^f W (1892.) yk-M \|/ ^TTT7 "ITTTrAVXn? QT7Y I A Comedy in Three Acts. By Arthttr W ^|-^ THE WEAKER bhA, W. P^nkRO. Eiehtmale and eight female Vli >ff ^ 1 characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery .;. V|> two interiors, not difficult. This very amusing comedy was_ a popula^^^ \f/ ^'' the renertoire of Mr. and Mrs. Kendal in this country. It P' ^f «"^?„^ P .";,„ ^i> il> sr(>S dramatic interest, and its incidental. satire ot " Woman's R'ghts em- yU \Y .lo s^some adlnirably humorous <^^«/Hcters,.and inspires many verjc^^^^^^ ^I^ \i/ Its leading characters are unusually even m strength and piommence, wiiu.u yy y/. makes it a very satisfactory piece for amateurs. (18J4.) ^|% ijt'^*'^"' LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS T dJtS m p 015 871 718 9 )R CHILDREN. )REAM an ©perctta for CtiltirnL Words by MARGARET FEZANDIE and EDGAR MORETTE. Music by EUGENE FEZANDIE, Jr. Eleven characters, girls and boys, or all girls, as preferred ; ten or more addi- tional for chorus. Scenery unnecessary; costumes, pretty and fanciful, hut easily arranged at home. This admirable little piece is printed conipk'te with music. It is very tuneful and gracefully imagined, and is strongly recommended for private theatricals or for schools, it is particularly well suited for the latter use, as it deals -whimsically with the question of youthful study, inculcating, however, an excellent moral. Price 35 cents. A Collection of Short and Simple Musical Entertainments for Children. By MRS. G. N. BORDMAN. (US (US t ODD OPERASSEVENTIDE. * VIZ VV Vf/ vi/ iff w w This collection provides a simple operetta, a fairy opera, a picturesque motion song, a quaint musical pantomime, a pretty musical sketch, and two original hun)orous recitations for children, complete, with all the music, and full instruc- tions for performance. The music is tuneful and simple, aiid is specially written Avith the tastes and limitations of children in view. The solos are easily learned anaL.v Dream. An Operetta for Children. Six speak- ing parts and chorus. The Boating: Party. A Musical Sketch for Little Children. I'hirty boys and girls. Six I^ittle Grandmas. A Musical Pantomime for very Little Children. Six very little girls. Jimmy Crow. A Recitation for a Little Girl. A House in the Moori. A Recita- tion for a Child. (M I (US n\ (lis (XS as (Us (Jfs (h (Its sv \\( t f I St/ t M/ I