812 - B2C1w French’s International Copyrighted (in England, her Colonies, and the United States) Edition cf the Works of the Best Authors MOTHER GOOSE PLAY jfot Hug Humber of GbllOten BY M. D. BARNUM Author of “'Our Aunt From California/' "The French Maid And the Phonograph,” Etc. A V; • ** ***£ !■ A \ Copyright, 1912, by Samuel French ALL RIGHTS RESERVED New York SAMUEL FLENCH PUBLISHER 28-30 WEST 33t:i STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Strent STRAND i . '■ ■- >N ’•* - ■ - ». m ... ■tS.fe v .siis, ' *• \ a ■■ ■ ; '' ’ % : T- : _J &• > *.f .,V-, ■ | " ■ ' :*e ■■ : “SPCPfV** : %:&& MOTHER GOOSE PLAY fot Bub Humber of Cbilbten ' ; • by : M. D. BARNUM Author op “Our Aunt From California,” “The French Maid And the Phonograph,” Etc. Copyright, 1912, by Samuel French ALL RIGHTS RESERVED New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 28-30 WEST 38th STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street STRAND A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY CHARACTERS : Mother Older Children *Youngest child Mother Goose King Cole *TW0 PAGES *Three fiddlers Miss Muffet Jack Spratt Mrs. Jack Spratt Mistress Mary * TFiree Pretty Maids *Lady-bird King Queen Maid Chef A Big Blackbird *Little Blackbirds The Clock *The Mouse Chorus of Singers Notes: — The male parts in this play are such that the costuming and acting are entirely suitable for actors of either sex. The parts marked ly an asterick are intended for very little chil- dren. For suggestions as to costumes and prop- erties, see page 20.* A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY Scene: — A sitting room. The youngest child and several older children are playing tag. There is a couch at one side, a rocking-chair in center, and a small table at back with children's school books and a copy of “ Mother Goose ” upon it. First Child. Tag! ( they run) Second Child. Tag! You’re it! ( they run ) ( Enter Mother with hats and coats) Mother. Come, children. It’s time to go to school. Get ready, (she helps them on with hats and coats.. They take books from table) Older Children. Good-bye. (they tun off) Mother. Good-bye, Here! Here! (to youngest child who is running after the older ones) You can’t go. Youngest Child. I want to go to school, too. Mother. You are too little to go io school. Youngest Child, (crying) Oh 'dear, 1 have no one to play with. Mother. There, there ! Don’t cry. I tell you 3 4 A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY what we’ll do. HI read to you. Run and get your Mother Goose, (sits in rocker . Child runs and gets book) Youngest Child. Oh, I love Mother Goose, (sits on Mother's lap and opens the book ) Mother. (rocking and chanting the rhyme ) Old King Cole was a merry old soul, And a merry old soul was he. He called for his pipe and he called for his bowl And he called for his fiddlers three. Youngest Child. I wish Mother Goose and Old King Cole would come and play with me. Mother. Wouldn’t that be nice ! Youngest Child. Won’t you read to me about the blackbirds? Mother. Find the place. Youngest Child, (turning leaves ) Here it is! Mother, (as before ) Sing a song o’ sixpence, a pocket full of rye, etc. (as she chants , the child falls asleep) Oh, she’s gone to sleep, (rises and lays her on the couch and covers her feet) How happy she looks in her sleep ! Maybe she* is dreaming about Mother Goose, (mores rocking chair over beside the couch , takes out knitting , sits and rocks and knits as if oblivious to all that follows. Enter Mother Goose) Mother Goose. Where is the little girl who loves Mother Goose? (sees child on couch , approaches and waves her cane) I’ll put a spell upon her^ and she shall have beautiful dreams, (turns toward door and beckons. Enter Chorus, forming in line across front of stage , Mother Goose standing at. one side) Chorus, (sings) . - J; A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY 1 9-¥-x— j ; p— t\ i y Nr- 1 / \ry u, “L J | 1 r m j Z) fN~ IT L V Z f± ... f . r_..._.V W ]£. — M 9 Old king Cole was a mer- ry old soul. And a > v L — 1 - m -9 fV- - A — H p—r =~=i i i * *-= mer-rv old soul was he. He called for his pipe, and he r 7*r . w v V iN 11 r> # _ IS ,S ! !S ■ ! \ X j [V . 1 1 If? XZ \L L _ J .E J 9 J N 1 i t 1 I fj ) # & a> m v r bii=J--^rz^=j=d ^ _|J called for his bowl, and he called for his fid-dlers three. ( During song , a big arm-chair or throne is placed, in the center of the stage behind the singers. A page takes his stand on either side of the throne. When the song has been sung once, the chorus divides, in half, facing to right and to left away from each other , and marching away to either side while singing the song a second time. The two halves march back on either side of the stage, ■ and turn toward each other at the rear, reunit- ing to form a line across the back of the stage. The parting of the chorus has revealed the throne and the pages. Music and marching stops. Enter King Cole with a hop skip and a jump, and with a ha! ha! he flings himself into his throne.) King Cole. Pipe ! ( pointing right. Right- hand page dashes away and fetches large pipe. King Cole pretends to smoke with great enjoyment) Bowl ! (pointing left. Left-hand page dashes away A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY and i tches large howl. King Cole pretends to drink d e ply) Ha! My fiddlers three! ( Enter briskly the three fiddlers fiddling the tune of “ Old King Cole.” ( See suggestion page 21, for fiddles .) They stand in a row and play the tune three times. The first time , King Cole taps toe and nods head vigorously in time , having handed pipe and bowl to the pages. The second time, he grows more ex- uberant and keeps time by clapping his hands on his knees or slapping his pages on the back alternately. The third time he leaps from his throne and dances clumsily , but in good time , lifting first the right arm and the right knee , then the left arm and the left kn$e. The chorus standing at the back , also keep time to the music and imitate all the king's motions. All should wear an expression of huge enjoyment, and even the pages kick up th#ir toes to the music . When music stops, Chorus and pages quickly come to order and fiddlers ivithdraw. King Cole -seems not to notice cessation of music, but continues his dance until Mother Goose after trying in vain to attract his attention from the side comes to center and pokes her cane at him. He looks round, claps his hand over his mouth in consternation and runs out. The piano strikes up “ Little Miss Muffet,” while the chorus advances , each half filing forward at the side, then turning toward the center, so as to meet and again make a solid line before the foot- lights.) - y> Chorus, (sings) A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY Wm =qi Lit-tle Miss Muf - fet sat on a tuf - fet, eat-ing her -0 - 32^ m J 5 » curds and whey..... There came a big spi - der and — 1 — * FFH lo • . « * # j -JJ sat down beside her, and frightened Miss Muffet away. ( During the singing, the pages exit with throne , and stage-hands place stool or tuffet, and prepare to manipulate spider . The tune is sung twice, the first time , on the syllable “ fright ,” the chorus , with a sudden jump , parts , facing as before to right and to left. The second time , they march singing as before , toward the bach of the stage on each side , and on the syllable “ fright ” start violently and run the remaining steps to their f ormer place along the back of the stage . Enter Miss Muffet, spoon clutched in right hand, bowl hugged to breast in other arm, gait an eager trot. She seats herself on tuffet and pretends to eat with gusto, scraping bowl , licking spoon, etc. Enter spider. If practicable, spider may be loivered from the ceiling directly beside Miss Muffet. Otherwise it may ap- pear to crawl over tile floor , being drawn by a black linen thread tied to a leg, and pulled by a person concealed in the opposite wing. When the spider reaches Miss Muffet’s side. Miss Muffet screams loudly and runs sobbing to Mothek Goose, i 8 A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY M(v re%Goo£K Don’t be a raid, Miss Muffet It’s only a spider. Go back arid pick up your bowl spoon. . Miss Muffet. No ! No ! No! Mother Goos . Shame on you, Miss Muffet. Go at once. ( o on. (Miss Muffet advances timidly. The s ider gives a 'si J den little jump. Miss Muffet screeches and funs again to Mother Goose without the howl and spoon ) Very well, IT1 do it myself. I’m not afraid of a spider. ( she advances boldly. The spider darts toward her. She drops cane and goos t , and screaming runs with Miss Muffet {also scree ning) off the' s f age, the spider after them. The piano plays “ listress Mary.” The Chorus as be ore forms acros front of stage . Chorus, (sings) o 1 . _ .. .. . 1 /. t) f > 1 1 1 I 1 1 , _ J ■ V d # ' J Mis - tress Ma - ry; quite con - tra - ry, how does your B r' i'- T -J h ty 1 td gar - den grow?... Cock - le shells and sil - ver 33 If, b « p +-t\ ■ Hf - r ^ — ^ 11 a & m. 9 < f m II 1 Ely' L_ l 0 9 L U L L tp - r j } L WL L L - L L_ L d_J LL. _L U bells, and pret - ty maids aH in a row, (While this song is being sung : Mother Goose re - gains cane and goose and stands as before at one side. Tuffet , bowl, and spoon are reinoved . The brown garden-bed is laid down like a rug . The three pretty maids are hooded with green ma m ' ^ A IOTHER GOOSE PLAY and knee: v ior the brown with foreheads lent to the flo r. \ second piece of brown cloth is laid over then . To give time for all this, “ Mistress Mar ” should be sung two or three times. F r .variety, the chorus may on second repetition twine . arms about each others shoulders oid s nay from* side do side while sing- ing. On (he lad repetition chorus divides and marches to^’ea^ as before. Enter Mist iess MaRy wi'k u ate ring-po. and rake.) Mother Goose. % pointing to one end of garden- bed) This oay; Mary, this way. (Mary at once strides the other way) Oh, very well, go that way, then. (Mary faces about and comes as first directed) file’s so contrary ! (Mother Goose up- lifts hands and retires to overside, shaking her head. Mary set-down water in ,J pot and pretends to rake the garden-bed: Presen ly with her rake she touches each of the conceale l maids. Each when touched rises slowly to hue s, lipping off the upper brown cover, but retaining the+ K green head shroud. Mistress Mary lays down her • ake and pretends to water the bed. .As she tips the watering-pot above the head of each maid, she ton lies ' her on the back with the free hand. A t this signal each maid rises to her feet \ and pushes off the gr< en head covering, and the three stand in a row sn < ding at the audience. Mistress Mary at one side j nn ing to them with pride. Three stage-hands place three large vases on the stage in a row. They tl en pick up the maids as if plucking flower's and sf md each one in a vase . Mother, Goose and Mjstress Mary stand on each side admiring them. The m us iti. trikes up the tune of C( Jack Sprati ” and chorus \ briskly strides to front, meeting at the footlighis. ond concealing the tableau) Chorus . (sing *>) wife would eat no lean, And so you 1 ~y ' 1 M . : ; f •“ h r” n M m 9 r 1 J - Si 1 fc\\ V J J d r r L L * 9 -J .. If C SE 9 ~ . : -4- h L_ 0 0 £2 II see be-tween -hern both, They licked the plat-ter clean. (During the son g, Mistress Mary, garden-bed , vase and flowers are all removed , and the small table , nearly covered by a large platter is set in the center of the' stag el A chair is placed at either end: The song is repeated as chorus marches to the rear . Enter Jack Spratt and wife , arm in arm , . Jack escorts his wife to her seat ; puts her in her chair ; then sits opposite .) Jack Spratt. What part of the meat do you prefer, my dear? Mrs. Spratt. Oh, Pm not particular. Any part will do for irieh ( aside to audience ) I hope I get the fat. (aloud to Jack) You take what you want Jack. Jack Spratt. Oh, it doesn’t matter what I have. (aside to audience) I hope I get the lean! (aloud to wife) You say what you like. Mrs. Spratt. Oh no, yoh say what you like. Jack Spratt. Do express a preference. Mrs. Spratt. (modestly) ’'Well, since you press me, — I never take any lean. Jack Spratt. (joyously) And I never take any fat! (they rise as if by simultaneous impulse , f ' » f iHP ■ '#1*: pi 4 v I A; ^ ¥ Y^O'Usl ■ ———mrvtm**- . - -™ . J BWI . . Bill Lx«v«.. wa -nrBk^3 spread their ar ’ Th en they res i me v * from the; plat ter,: ' : ;Zi/;u w . ir , 7 .. ,. /£rs£ with one hand then -with, if e oft r. ''Next, simultaneously grip the side s t of the ' tblc with? loth ^ hands raising the elbqfs high ’and Sticking ,t}ieir heads to lick the- platter., The pla ter ■ should , foe- large enough so that when, each is 1 ticking* at pgi^j . end of the platter , the. two heads just meet abonp the • center — When they have taken ‘ th ee goad Jjdks , Tf : Mother Goose taps wiih f her. can ;, and on’o-ffon / , them to he off/ They rise and reti : '/hut tyke, ifrfaj platter with them, and token they . °aoh <&• ceptygf^ position in the reon, face ajbbut and hold'the.gdgile/^ before their faces, so that the tops of /. their A etuis agn. be seen above it, nodding , as : if they uferc' still Mov- ing. The music plays the tune of LMy-lird i ur( t d, the chorus marches in front of the licking couple ,) Chorus, (sings) , - 0 r ~ A -' ^r ^3* ^2 •* S** «* .* Your house is on fire, your chil-dren xyill burn! ^ 3: 3: ^ $ - 4 -' 1 V X2 A GOOSE PLAY (W7 choru mgs the above, Jack St att and ife exit n th table and chairs, and plant is placed v t ae side near the front of he stage , with t o large artificial larvce ; ai ong the leaves fo larvce see suggestions )age , 22) Lady-b pjd crouches beneath the l aves. In marching lack, the piano alone plays the tune, the chorus ilent. When the music St ps, Lady- bird move, diagonally across the stage toivard the back, [l ending forward with am s folded, and wa king lightly with little step like an insect cree ring. When she has nearl reached the chorus , the piano strikes the first chord of the music, and immediately with gre it' impres- siveness the chorus repeats the ong , unaccom- panied, with finger up-lifted as n warning, and on the word FIRE all point to' the bush. If pos- sible, electric flash-lights durit g the song cast flashes upon the bush to resemble fire. The Lady-bird listens with uplifh l -head until the music stops. Then she spreads her arms as if they were wings and rushes hack to the bush) Lady-bird, {screaming as she runs) My children! ( she seizes he larvce and throws them out of the bush, then i n eels and picks them up, kissing each tenderly w Sh • arises and hugs the. i to her breast) My own lar s' {she. pets and caresses them } music plays “ Song o J Sixpence ” and chorus marches forward.) Chl rus. {sings) area A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY v A • A, A * r±=±j m £ 2. The king vas in his counting house, counting o« t his money, r y ' E V . - ■ rfrv ; e m H 9 A \ |0 ^ Tl tSy. ». • 0 " " J' • ; - - * -A Jt 0 d # ” Four and twen-ty black-birds baked iii a pie. The queen as in the parlor eating bread ahd hon - ey. h ' : t a . " . ■ ' x N ' £ ~ - ~ ~ J y y m J k . r Z t 9 A v ■ .. ± • 15 _ . j-. * * -d When th* pie was o - pened the birds be- in to sing. The maid was in the gar-den, hang-ing o t the clothes, 1 r S N IS N V s s fr ^ IT I Jr V r fV s w s n - II r\ \ _ i ^ ■ -r* e 9 0 \ 11 % % M % i L L* # ... ill Was-’nt that a bain -tv dish to set be fore, the king? There came a-loi g.a dick-y bird and nipped off her nose! (During the singing of the first vetse * Lady-bxbd and plant are removed, and the pie is d up in one-half of the stage, the little Hack-birds crouch in it^ahd are covered with the crud. (see suggestions page 23) During tin singing of the second ve *se, dhe chorus' moves back to form a semi-dirt e about the pie, faring out- ward and concealing the pie from the audience , This leaves the other half of the stage dear for the King and QuEen. Enter King, Queen) Maid and Chef. The King escorts ' Vie Queen to a front position, the Chef stands before the pie, the Maxi > takes her basket of clothes to a corner wher< she kneels and pretends o wash or wring out clothes '.) 14 A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY ■;V; W :: r a. What have e for dinner to-day, my dear? p jeen. ( fanning erself in stately manner) iat have we for dim er to-day, Chef? Chef, (to Queen) Pie. 7 Queen, ( to Kiite) Pie. King, (clapping his hands) Pie! Produce the pie. (rubbing his hands gleefully) Queen, (to Chef) Produce the pie. Chef, (facing about to Chorus) Produce the pie. (Chorus divides, one-half marching to right , the other to left. They march rtround the pie, and unite back of the pie, thus forming a semi-circle be- hind it. Cue f delib era f ehj - sharpens a large knife, while stage-hands make appropriate noises behind scenes by rubbing together two pieces of sand-paper. The Queen takes out a i ery large napkin and ties it around the neck of the Kin g, making the points stick out behind his neck. The King runs eagerly toward the: pie , and looks down on it bending with his hands on his knees . . The Chef steps to the side opposite the King and plv iges his knife into the pie . The knife of course is f blunt cardboard. The little blackbirds all rise to their knees and stick their heads over the edge of the pie, pushing up the crust) Little Blackbirds. (shrilly) Peep! Peep! Peep ! Peep ! Peep ! Peep Peep ! etc. All, Oh! Oh! (Queen and Chorus clasp hands in alarm. King, raises his hands in amazement, Chef leaves the pie and steps forward to make a bow . The little blackbirds see their chance and all hop out of the pie,, waving their arms like wings and running ail about the stage ner r ceasing their cry of “Peep!” The Chef dismayed rushes to put them back into the pie. When he picks up a black- bird, it flaps ai d peeps vehemently. As soon as he puts one in the pie, he turns to run after another. •' A MOTHEI HOSE PLAY A and the one in the pie j ups out again . When, i, is apparent that the Che; cannid get them hack in the pie , he drives them to he exit.) Chef. Shoo! 1 Shoo! Shoo! ( exit Chef and birds) King, {pointing to pi ) "Away with it! ( at- tendants run out with the jne) My money ! (a chair and table containing mot y-bags are placed at one side in front. King 'sits and pretends to count money , moving lips as if saying numbers.) QIteen. Bread and honey ! {attendants bring chair and seat the Queen beside the King. Two others kneel to right and left of her , presenting a plate of bread and a jar marked HONEY , with a spoon in it. The Queen eats airily. A clothesline, one end of which may be fastened before the play, is now quickly stretched upland the maid rises and begins to hang up clothes in the vacant half of the stage) King, {counting aloud and clinking the money) 997-998— 999, one thousand! Ha! Ha! 1001,1002 etc. {the big blackbird runs in waving arms as if flying. She attacks the maid, making passes to reach the maid's nose) Maid, {beating off oird) Shoo! Shoo! Shoo! {the bird snatches with" one hand pretending to nip off the nose. The maid claps her hand over her nose with a shriek, starts toward the King, and falls to her knees. She keeps her hand over her nose all the time during the rest of the act.) King. ( rising and bending over her) What’s the matter ? Maid. My nose is gone ! (Chorus come forward and stand by in attitudes of pity and horror) King. Oh ! Oh, look at her ! Oh ! (Queen steps up to look then falls back stiffly fainting in arms of her attendants. Blackbird during this dialogue has 16 A MOTHER- G( *.V PLAY dro d on the floor an art%f >$l nose previously con - fee / d in her hand . jShelho] a out it, cocking head d eyeing it si dew ay s x bv Liashion, then stoops ■ wn , picks up the nose wit her, beak, (see sugges - ons page 23) and flies au y with it . The King continues his exclamations mlhout pause) Poor girl ! Poor girl ! Oh, horrible ! No nose ! Chorus. No nose! (all groan deeply. Music strikes up tune of “I Lbv Little Pussy.” The Chorus passing between the other actors, quickly form a line in front of then , shutting them from view.) , /, Chorus, (pngs) ' m : p 1 y q ■ T1 1 1 i - i i g & oi qi - * tn r r~w “I "■ j rv 1 _ . ! 1 r . , r • I love lit - tie pus - sy, her coat is 0 1 * 2? so warm, , -H — ■■ * ]■ . ... 1 ■ m . . NTTT j Tt _J. 1 £ f rv J & jM I Lvk R * * fL_i ^-r~ -L ~~ # # -6 ■ And if I don’t hurt her she d do me no harm. And pu - sv will love me be-cause I am good. (. During the song, King, Queen/ Maid, their attendants and properties all remove, and a rug is placed center near the footlights. A very little g i sits on the rug, and beside her is placed a saucer of milk with a kitten lapping A M0THE1 G )SE PLAY m from it. (See sugg< di s page 23 ) The chorus divide , march back n< ausic stops. The little girl, watch ings the it n,% then sings the song unaccompanied : 0 t words “ because I am good” she rises to hei feet and looks earnestly at all the audience She then takes the kitten up in her arms and < ar esses it, next picks up the saucer too, and makes her exit feeding the cat in her arms as she walks. A loud ticking is heard behind the s< nes. The chorus uplift . fingers and bend: far card as if listening.) Chorus. Sh! (cute the clock, swinging one hand like a pendulum :¥ In this hand is concealed a little “clicker” Is ueh as is used by steriopticon Ucturers . With this, hike loud regular ticks are made, as the clock steps forward keeping time. The other hand remains at the side and holds the rojpe ladder which dangle si nconspicuously against the robe of the clock. (St e suggestions pages 23 - 24 ) The clock halts in the center of the stage. The tick- ing continues. The piano gives a preliminary chord.) Chorus, (sings in tune to the ticking) ri femu? A v v \ • v - • ' k f • C T N • V ,S . S N H ^ \ tt a ^ rr . ... H 1 Z A 0 - * * 00 0 . * 3, ... 3 m 3 .3 m Hick - o - ry, dick - o - ry dock! The N v is \ J N - -2d _J r r m • 0 Tj tU7 .. 9 • 9 * - ' t — h i mouse ran up the clock! . The clock struck one, the 1 — YT 0 '5 JN \ s \ V 11 rirr\ ^ j ** * ... . ^11 1 mm f u mouse t an down, Hick - o - ry, dick - o - r\ dock! 18 A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY ( music stops. The dock ticks on. Enter the mouse running on tip-toe with short steps , hands hanging before the breast like the fore- paws of a dog when ivalking on its hind legs. The mouse does not at first notice the dock but creeps hither and thither , pausing before any change of direction , like a timid , hesitating mouse. It readies the .footlights at one side and pauses there.) | Mouse, {high pitch) Queek! {it runs along the front and pauses again) 'Queek! Queek! Queek! (it turns and sees the dock and runs directly to it, grasps the arm that holds the ladder quickly mount- ing the three steps. It passes its nose from side to side as if smelling the clock. A gong of suitable sound to represent a strikng clock, strikes ONE be- hind the scenes. The pendulum and ticking stops. The mouse runs down as if frightened and scampers on all foiirs to crouch in one. corner of the stage) i. Mother Goose. Dear me! The clock has stopped. I must wind it up. {as she, puts her hand to the clock face and turns her wrist, a watchman s rattle or the like is employed behind the scenes to imitate the noise of winding. She finishes wind- ing, then starts the pendulum. The ticking is re- sumed. She peers at the clock face) What does the clock say now? Clock, {reciting in loud deep sing-song, in time to its tick) Hickory dickory dock ! The hands go round the clock. The time, the time, the time is gone. The child awakes, the dream is done. Away, away, away we run r Hickory, dickory dock ! On the words “ Tiie Child awakes” Youngest fc * A M' GOOSE PLAY Child stirs onjthe couch, hut does not yet open her eyes . On the words “ Away , away , away ” the clock takes three steps backward , and continues thus to pace toward exit . Without loss of time , after the last iv or d of the stanza , the piano plays one preliminary chord and begins the tune of “Hickory dick or y dock as before, but repeat- ing the third measure three times to fit the altered words . At- the preliminary chord. Mother Goose and chorus lift their arms to point to the clock, note backing toward exit . Promptly with the piano they all sing the words of the clock and thus pointing and sing- ing follow the clock off the stage . The music stops . The mouse peeps forth from its corner, comes out, and begins to frisk gayly, making its tail swing around, by little jumps.) Mouse. ( nearing couch) Queek ! Queek ! Youngest Child. ( sitting up, stretching, and yawning loudly) Ho— hum! ( the mouse, as if frightened scampers on all fours toward exit. Youngest Child looks around just too late to see it go out, and remains staring at the exit. Pause) Mother. Well, dearie, so you waked up at last. Youngest Child. Where is the mouse gone? Mother. What mouse ? Youngest Child. ( rising and standing by mother s knee) The mouse that ran up the clock. Mother, {rising and taking her by the hand) Oh, you’ve been dreaming. ( they walk toward exit) Youngest Child. Oh no, Mother. Mother Goose and all the rest came here to play with me. I saw them. And they all went out this way. {pointing and nodding emphatically) Mother, {laughing) Nonsence, child. You’ve been asleep. It was all a dream, {exit) THE END. 20 A MO r i EIER GOOSE PL. Y NOTES VND SUGGESTIONS. No curtain is n< •< led for this- play. If m stage is a very large one, it js ffective to have each character, or set of characters after per- forr ing thir part, retire to the rear ofjthe stage in- steal of making exit. The characters will rims grad- ual] /form a picturesque standing semi-ci le at the rea of the stage, in front of’ the chorus. lie chorus car easily march in and' out behind them, \fter the final speech of the clock ail will form a proces- sion and march off, pointing- at the clock and singing with the chorus. • COSTUMES mi) PROPERTIES. '■ •' ■ . '< ' The costumes are all panned for female per form- ers, although several of tl e parts .are adapted equally well for males. Mother Goose. Dress and hat as commonly pictu red. Cane in one Rand, and a goose ur ler the other arm. The . goose may be cut of white card- board, a flat silhouette, with yellow-painted hill and feet. A better goose can be made by cutting out two pieces of cheesecloth in the shape of the outline of a goose. Sew up and stuff. Attach bill and feet of yellow muslin, and eyes of black buttons. Place a stick in the neck to .stiffen, it. Old King Cole. Red - paper-muslin r«»be from neck to feet, made like a coat and £ belt* -d' loosely with showy buckle in front. Straight p^ece across the back, falling like a. cape from shoulders to heels. Wide . flat collar, also .herder on cape and robe ? of white canton flannel streaked with ink to resemble ermine. Wig arid beard of white curled ;horse-hair obt; inable at upholsterePs. Gilt crown. Pages. Brown doublets to the knee cut in points - A [OTHER GOOSE 'LAY n at the bottom.* Long brown stoc ings. Wide sat brown collars ( it in points at tl bottom. Short conical brown aps, with feather m side', (suitable broivni h feathers can be obtain ed from fea'her dusters) - Fiddl rs. Red suits made like hose of pag s, but with"' feathers. collars and belts of white. Fiddt.es. Cut out of brown cardboard- and painted, or any small 1 toy fiddles. Three violinists behind the scenes make the music, while the little fiddler go through the motions. Miss Muffet. Costume of a little girl. Spider. Made of black crepe paper and very stiff/ v ire. Body about eight inches round, leg- two feetfkmg. Gilt paini marts the eyes and the joints of the legs. Mi.' tress Mary. Summer dress and garden hat. Garden-bed. A brown muSlin rug about five yards by tw< . Cockle shells six ii dies in diameter cut from ■% bite cardboard and marked like the shells of scallops are sewed 'as a borde r on the muslin rug. The second piece of brown cloth to be laid over the maids,* should match the rug. It is cut big enough to cover the children completely but no larger, as the smaller it is the more easily they can toss it aside when they begin to rise. ThrEe Pretty Maids. White dresses, and very large bright pink ribbon bows on the top of their heads. Their green hoods aie loose conical bags cov- ering the entire head and shoulders. The children are, of course, blinded with the hoods on, but their hands must be left free for pushing off the brown cover and lat r the green hoo is. ■ Vases, hardinieres or Lower pots would do if big enough : but vases can be made by cutting very stiff cardbo; rd into the shane of a tall fat vase, and shading th front with in a or p'aint to p :esent a A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY curved appearance. The vases are made to stand, by fast- iung to the back of each at the bottom a large c aare hat-box. A few stitches of linen thread is iiore reliable than glue for fastening. Into the boxes the children are put when “ plucked” by the stage-hands. Jack Spratt. Black-paper muslin suit, plain scant skirt. Coat, collar and tie like a man’s. Hair parted on one side and flattened to head. Figure as thin as possible. s ■ 'ff * Mrs. Jack Spratt. Light calico dress, and mob cap to match. Full-gathered skirt, white kerchief about neck. Figure as fat as possible. Lady-bird. White dress. Antennae of black hat wire attached to top of head. Red wings with round black spots. To make the wings, cut semi-circles of stiff paper, big enough to reach from back of neck to hem of dress. Make the wings convex by little darts in outer edge. Cover them outside with dotted red muslin and line with black. 'y Larvae. About a foot long, made of black stock- ing legs, stuffed and pointed at one end, and tied round with thread at intervals to appear jointed. Black legs and colored spots are added as in nature. Plant. Should have long leaves if possible to go with magnified larvae. A bucket of corn-stalks would do, bucket being covered with brown or green crepe paper. King. Like costume of King Cole, but purple in color, and burnt cork mustache and goatee instead of white beard and wig. Queen. Train dress of green with gold paper border, and ruff of white lace shelf-paper. Fancy bag. hanging from girdle holds the napkin for the king. Gay fan. Maid. Short dress, Cap and apron with bright bows. ' > l A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY Chef. Plain white dress. Big butcherV extending to hem of dress. Cap of ordinary p; bag, squared at bottom, and turned back at top to make a fold around edge of cap. Black-birds. Black dominoes. Black caps with shoulder capes attached, and bills of yellow-covered cardboard sewed like visors to project over foreheads. Pie. Sheets of cardboard sewed together to form a cylinder fifteen inches high and two yards in di- ameter. This will accommodate seven little black- birds. ( the rhyme says twenty-four , but as they run about , the audience will hardly be able to count them) Crust. A circle of cheese-cloth about seven feet in diameter with a lumpy frill around it. The frill is to lap well over the edge of “ the dish.” Money-bags. Three fat, dark-colored bags, about a foot high, well stuffed, and marked on the front with a gold paper dollar sign. Concealed behind them on the table should be pieces of glass or metal with which king can make clinking noise as he pre- tends to count money. Big Blackbird. Costumed like little blackbirds. A large pink artificial nose is concealed in her hand, and to this the bar or armature of a magnet is sewed. A good horse-shoe magnet is sewed to the under side of the bird's beak, and by means of this she seems to pick up the nose with her beak previous to her exit.. Kitten. A real kitten is better than an artificial one. It should be made hungry, but of course not cruelly so. If half-grown, it can go without food comfortably for five hours previous to the play, and will then lap eagerly during the. little girl's song. Several stage rehearsals are advisable to accustom the animal to the place. Clock. The actor taking this part should be tall. 24 A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY A Arge square hat-box is inverted over the head. 'I j make it secure, it can be sewed firmly to a smaller uox within it, the smaller box being of a size to fit nugly over the head of the wearer. The box is neatly covered with oak-brown cloth, which falls straight to the floor on all four sides, completely con- cealing the wearer, except for her feet, and her arms, which are thrust through long brown sleeves at- tached on each side of the robe. The semblance of a clock face is painted on a large circle of white card- board and attached to the front of the head-box. The clock hands are painted to indicate the hour at which the play is expected to end. As this costume, of course, blinds the wearer, she must know beforehand how many steps forward to take, and be assisted at her entrance to start straight. Rope-ladder. Hangs from the clock’s hand by the top rung. Should have three other rungs for the mouse to mount on, the lowest rung just clearing the ground as the clock walks. It must be strong enough to bear the weight of the mouse. It looks well to have the rope and the rungs as nearly as pos- sible the same color as the clock’s robes. Mouse. The smaller the child, the better for this part. A little colored child is very effective. The costume should be a long brownish-gray dress, with a tail sewed to the bottom of the back. The tail is about the size and shape of an umbrella case, and a little sand in the end enables it to swing around well. For the head of the mouse, first make a cone of thin cardboard and fit it to the child’s head like a dunce cap tilted forward. Cover this smoothly with stuff to match the dress, and at the back and sides of the head let the goods fall down to the shoulders like a big hood; but between the temples cut it away so as to leave the child’s face uncovered. Her face is to look out from the mouse’s throat, some- A MOTHER GOOSE PLAY 25 what as the black-bird’s faces appear beneath their bills. The nose of the mouse-head is the top of the cap, and here wire feelers are attached. Rounding mouse-ears of muslin-covered cardboard, and eyes of black buttons are attached in appropriate places. The sides of the hood must widen at the bottom to fasten under the child’s chin. Chorus. Simple every day dresses of white. The number of singers should be sufficient to make a solid line across the front of the stage. •* ipi V- ' ,. --v ;t gap#: gig- ■ & FRENCH’S MINOR DRAMA. Price IS Cants each,— Bound! Volumes $ 1 . 28 . SOL. L fftalrteh AttonMf t loots at ihs Swan 8 How t» Pay the Rest 4 TH# Loan of a L*v» 5 Til bead Snot 8 Hit Last tags 7 Vb« luvi».bT* * Prlnte § The Golden Farmer VOL. II. 9 Pride of the Marta * 10 Dsad Up U The Irish Toter IS The Barrack Room 15 Luke the Lnbcwr 14 Beauty and the Heart 16 St. Patrick’s Eve 18 Captain of the W .iAdt VOL. Hi. It The Secret [pees 15 White Horae «! the P«p- 19 The Jacobite 90 The Bottle 21 Box and O* 22 BanjboozKttg 99 Widow’* Vfctte 94 Robert Macaite VOL. i¥o 26 Secret Sarrie* 28 Omnibus 2? Irish Lion 28 Maid of Crofsew 29 The Old Guar/ SO Raising the Win# 31 Slasher and Crash «c 32 Naval Engagements VOL. V. 83 Coeknies ia Calilfentla 34 Who Speaks First 34 Bombas tes Fur lose 38 Macbeth Traveetts 37 Irish Ambassador 38 I>elicate Ground *9 The Wsathercook [Gold 40 All that Glitters le Not VOL. VI. 41 Grim* haw, fcagsta Brad i haw 42 Rough Diamond 43 Bloomer Costume 44 Two Bonn ju;as ties 45 Born tc Good Luck 46 Kiss In the Dark fjursr 47 Twould Puzzle a Coa- 48 Kill or Cure VOL. VTI, 49 Box and Cos Married and 56 St. Cupid [Ssttisd 61 Go-to -bed Ton* 52 The Lawyera VOL. XI. il Onacnvgaa and ike FaJ - 82 Irish Poet [rice 88 My Neighbor* Wile 84 Irish Tiger 86 P. P., or Man and Tiger Si To Oblige Benson 87 State Secrete 88 Irish Yankee VOL. XtL 89 A Good Fellow 90 Cherry and Fair 1 91 Gate Breezely 99 Our Jeinimy 93 M liter* Maid Vri Awk va/d Arrive# 96 Crossing whs Lino H Can jugal Lan VOL. XIII. 97 My Wife’s Mm 98 Life ia Now York 99 Middy Ashore 100 Crown Prince 101 Two Queens VOL. XXL 181 Promotion Inal 169 A Fascinating Indlvid- 163 Mrs. Caudle 164 Shakes pee, re’s Dream 186 Neptune’s Defeat J64 Lady of Bedchamber >149 Take Care of Utile* 166 irinh W (do w 1C 'barley VOL. XXft I 149 Yankee Peddler 170 Hiram Hireoat 171 Doable- Bedded Room 175 The Drama Defended J73 Vermont Wool Dealer 174 Ebenezer Venture [ter 176 Principles from Cbarac- 118 Lady of »he Lake (Trav) MXOLm^m 102 Thumping Legacy inished 63 Jack Sh&euri ‘.’ocxTm 54 The T 55 The I lobcap 68 Ladies Bewars VOL. m 57 Morning Call 68 Popping the Quetetete 69 Deaf as a Post 80 New Footman 61 Pleasant Neighbor S2 Paddy the Pi par 63 Brian O’Linn 64 Irish Assurance VOL. E& U Temptation Myf 66 Paddy Carey 67 Two Gregorie# 68 King Charming S9 Po-ca-hon-tas 70 bookmaker’s Hak 71 Married Rake 72 Love and Murdw VOL. X. 78 Ireland and America 74 Pretty Pieon of Bushr 75 Irish Broon.-maker 76 To Paris and Back for Five Pounds 77 That Blessed Bab? 78 Oar Gal 79 Swiss Cottage 80 Young Widow 108 Unfini 104 House Dog VOL. XIV, 105 Yta Demon Lover t06 Matrimony 107 In aad Out of Plana 106 I Dine with M* Mother 108 Ki-a-vra-tkr 110 Andy Blake 111 Love in ’76 Jftles 112 Romance nodes DUEcu! VOL. XV. 113 On* Coat for 2 Suite 114 A Doeided Case JI6 Daughter [norltv 116 No; or, the Glorious Mi- 117 Coroner's Inquisition 118 Love la Humble Lite T9 Family Jars 1 1<) Parsonation J VOL. XTL «*» 121 Children In the Won* 159 Winning a Husband 1 23 Day A fter the Fair 324 Make Your Will* 125 Rendezvous 126 My Wife’s Husbawi 1 27 Monsdur Tonson 128 Illustrious Stranger VOL. XVII. 129 Mischief-Making [Mi nes 130 A Live Women i» the 111 The Corsair 132 Shvlock 183 Spoiled Child 134 Evil Eye 136 Nothing to Nurae 136 Wanted a Widow VOL. XVIJl 137 Lottery Ticket 188 Fortune’s FroJlfe 139 Is he Jealous f 140 Married Bachelor 141 Husband at Sight 142 Irishman in London 143 Animal Magnetism 144 Highways aad By-W *ys VOL. XIX. 145 Columbus 146 Harlequin Bluebeard 147 Ladies at Home 148 Phenomenon in a Smock Frock 14s> Comedy and Tragedy 150 Opposite Neighbors 151 Dutchman’s Ghost 152 Persecuted Dutchman VOL. XX. 153 Musard Ball 154 Great Tragic Revival 155 High Low Jack & Game 156 A Gentleman from Ire- 157 Tom and Jerry [land 158 Village Lawyer 159 Captain’s not A-miss 180 Amateurs and Actors i vol. m 247 Cool as CucnmbUr 242 Sudden Thoughts 248 Jumbo Juki 244 A Blighted Being 245 Little Teddlektns m A Lover by Proxy fPaJl 2*7 .VjmU with the Milking *46 Ptrptaxing Frediaameat voiTxxxil 246 Dr. DU worth 260 Out to Nuseo 251 A Lucky Htt 252 The Dowager 253 Me tom ora (BnrUtonsk 254 Dreams of Delusion 177 Mad Dow 176 Barney the Bare* 178 179 Swiss Swains 180 Bachelor’s Bedroom 181 A Roland for an Oliver 182 More Blunders than One 188 Dumb Belle 184 limeridk Boy ^ VOL. 185 Nature and Philosophy 186 Teddy the Tiler 187 Spectra Bridegroom 188 Mateeo Falcon* 189 Jenny Lind 190 Two Buazarte 191 Happy Mss 198 Betsy Baker VOL, XXVo 198 No. l Round tin Comer 194 Teddy Roe 196 Object of interest 198 My Fellow Clerk 197 Bengal Tiger 198 Laughing liven* 199 The Victor Vanquished *«OurWlfc VOL. XXVL »! My Husband’* Mirror 969 Yankee Land 203 Nor ah Crelna 204 Good for Nothing 206 The First Night 206 The Eton Boy 207 Wandering Minstrel 208 Wanted, 1000 Milliners VOL. XXVII. 209 Poor Pilcoddy 210 The Mummy [Glasses 211 Don’t Forget your Opera 212 Love ia Livery 213 Anthony and Cleopatra 214 Trying It On 216 Stage Struck Yankee 218 Yeung Wife & Old Um- brella vot. xxvm 5TT Crinoline 218 A Fatally Failing 219 Adopted Child 220 Turned Heads 221 A Match In the Dari 222 Adrioe to Husbands 223 Siamese Twine 224 Sent to the Towep VOL. XXIX. 225 Somebody Else 2*# Ladles’ Battle 227 Art of Acting 228 The Ladv of the Lions 229' The Rights of Man 230 My Husband’s Ghost 231 Two Can Play *»; that Game ""froWSr 233 Unprotected Female 234 Pet of the Petticoats 235 Forty and Fifty [book 236 Who Stole the Pocket- 237 My Son Diana [sion 238 Unwarrantable Intru- 239 Mr. and Mrs. White 240 A Quiet Family (French's Minor Drama Continued, on id page of Cover.') 265 The Shaker Lovar* 256 Ticklish Times vol. xxxin. 257 20 Minutes with a Tiger 258 Mirslda; cc, the Justice of Tacoa 259 A Soldier’s Courtship 260 Servants by Leeaey * 261 Dying for Love 262 Alarming Sacrifice 263 Valet de Sham 264 Nicholas Nicklcbv vol. xxxiv; 266 The Last of the Pigtalk 266 Kin# Rene’s Daughter 26T The Grotto Nynrph 268 A Devilish Good Joke 269 A Twice Told Tale 270 Pas de Fascination *71 Revolutionary Soldier 272 A Man Without a Head VOL. XXXV. 973 The Olio, fart 1 274 The Olio, Part \ t 275 The Olio, Part 3 fiber 276 The Trumpeter’s Dbugfe. 277 Seeing Warren 27? Green Mountain Boy 279 That Noes 9*0 Tom Noddy’s SocwS VOL. XXX VL 281 Shocking Events 282 A Regular Fig 288 Dick Turpin 284 Young Scamp 285 Young Actress 236 Call at No. 1— f 287 One Touch of Natw® 288 Two B’hoya vol. xxxrn 289 A11 the World’s a Stage 290 Quash, or Nigger Prao» 291 Turn Him Out [tice 292 Pretty Girls of Stlllber* 293 Angel of toe Attie 294 Cisv.umstaneepalte/Casea 295 Katty O’Sheal 296 A Supper in Dixie VOL. XXXVHL 29* Id on Parle Francals 998 Who Killed Cock Robin 299 Declaration of lndepend° 300 Heads or Tails [enoe 301 Obstinate Family 802 My Aunt 303 That Raseal Pal 304 Don Padd^r <*e Baza* VOL. XXXIX. [ture 305 Too Mush for Good Na- 306 Cure for the Fidgets 307 Jack’s the Lad 803 Much Ado A bout Nothing 309 Artful Dodger 310 Winning Hazard 311 Day’s Fishing [Ac. 312 Did yon ever send your, VOL. XL. 313 An Irishman’s Maneuver 314 Cousin Fannie 315 ’Tistbe DarkestHourbe- 3T6 Masquerade [fore Dawn 317 Crowding the Season 318 Good Night’s Rest 319 Man with th< GarpetBsg 320 Terrible Tinker SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 3m Street* New V®rts City* isef