Читать книгу Home Arts for Old and Young - Caroline L. Smith - Страница 10

Table of Contents

Some clubs read Shakespeare alone. It is most certainly a noble study, and one we can never weary of. Few can hope ever to excel in delineating Shakespeare. Therefore it is well, if we meet together for social enjoyment as well as improvement, to have a variety of plays, such as Sheridan Knowles’ plays. Also, it is an admirable way of learning to converse easily in German and French to read plays in the different languages. In reading these plays, the parts, in the beginning, should be given to different members.

The librettos of many excellent plays can be bought for a very small sum, such as “Ion,” “Hunchback,” “William Tell,” “Love’s Sacrifice,” and many other excellent old plays. These small books are less cumbersome to carry around. It is well before the club meets to read any play, to have each person read over his or her part, so as to be able to comprehend the character. Therefore the play to be read at each reading should be given out at the close of every meeting, and the parts selected, each member having an equal share. Such clubs are far more agreeable to its members, and less likely to cause unpleasant rivalries, than clubs for private theatricals, as private actors are often jealous, for human nature, alas! is weak.

We have known of some very successful clubs, where discord and jealousy never appeared, and where harmony reigned. We will give the manner of proceeding adopted by one of them, as it may assist in the formation of others. The club was started by some young ladies, with a view of making home and winter evenings agreeable to their brothers. A committee was chosen to form a code of laws. Each one was to subscribe a small sum to purchase the librettos of their plays. The following rules were signed by all the members:—

1. Each member of the club must take his or her turn in choosing a play, and in giving out the rôle of characters.

2. Every member must take the characters given him, and do his best, unless he can exchange parts with some other member, with the consent of the one who selected the play.

3. The one who selects the play has a right to the best character.

4. The club shall meet once a week at the houses of members, in alphabetical rotation.

5. Whenever any member is unable to take his part and cannot attend the meeting, he must provide some one to take his character.

6. No new member can be admitted without the vote of the majority.

7. Each member must study his or her part well, before meeting with the club. If any two, or several, should have difficult parts together, they must meet privately and practise them.

At first they merely read the plays; but soon they partially acted them, and found them increased in enterest thereby. They always had their little librettos by them. Those who had ready memories rarely referred to them, or a mere glance would be sufficient. Finally they dressed in character, and admitted an audience composed of their relatives.

There is not necessarily anything awkward in having the books in hand. Such little pamphlets can be easily rolled up, and will scarcely be noticed. Under these rules they became familiar with the best plays, without wearying of them, and each member had an opportunity of consulting his own taste.

Before the winter closed the members of this club found they could so easily learn their parts, that they rarely were obliged to refer to their librettos. Constant practice improved their memories. Often those whose parts were associated together, would meet for private practice.