IMPROMPTU CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11843, 21 December 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

IMPROMPTU CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS.

EFFECTIVE TABLEAUX, WITH BATH TOWELS AND OLD CURTAINS FOR COURT TRAINS.

Impromptu entertainments got tip literally on the spur of the moment, utilising such materials as happen to be at hand, often give more pleasure than those over which much time and money have been expended.

Screen off the greater part of the room used for the tableaux, and if possible, have the "screens covered with some plain, dark material, such as a dark red or green tablecloth, to form a good setting for the pictures, and arrange,'if possible, to have the light from above. • Footlights are best not attempted in impromptu theatricals, savouring of too much danger. A strong table may, if desired, be called into service, as a stage; but it is simpler to do without it, and there is not the agonising fear on the part of the performers: Supposing it- does give way?

Failing, a room with folding-doors, use a window recess. - ■ •

A quite beautiful picture may be made of Elaine as s-lie floats down the river, "oared bv the dumb servitor." "In her right hand a lily, in her left the

letter, * And all the Coverlid was cloth of gold. Drawn to lier waist, and she herself in white." Place a small mattress on the ground to servo as barge, one end slanting slightly towards the audience ; drape it in black. Let Elaine lie 011 her back facing the audience, her head slightly raised, drape her as far as the waist in some soft white material, leaving throat and arms bare. Part her hair— which should be long and fair, by the way —on either side of her face. Failing a lily, place a, white chrysanthemum in her hand, and in the left hand the letter, which should be made of.a piece of rough drawing-paper folded in three, and sealed with a huge red seal. .

Cover Elaine from her waist to her feet with a piece of. Eastern embroidery or a bright-lined rug". Attire the "servitor" in a rough frieze ulster with cape*, and hood for the head, if possible; let liiin stand at the end of the barge nearest the audience, with a pole in one hand. i

At Elaine's head group bunches of reeds, dried grasses, or bulrushes, as much as possible, as if they were growing ; the general effect should convey the idea that the barge was just pushing off from the river's bank."

" PULASKI' BANNER" is another. easily got up and effective tableau, and has the advantage of containing more figures. , Pulaski, the difficulties of his costume obviated by the fact that lie is represented kneeling with his back to the audience, a long cloak falling from his shoulders to the floor, with hands outstretched to take the scarlet banner from the hands of one of the nuns. Attire the nuns in black waterproof cloaks, fold white bands across their brows, and have a dim, religious light falling over all.

'ANCIENT GREECE affords a series of most effective tableaux, easiest of all to arrange. The figures simply need draping as artistically as possible in soft white material— sheets of small size do at a pinch. Take care to leave the throat and arms bare, feet also, save for a piece of black or brown •,ribbon or tape bound across toes and instep sandal fashion ; arrange the hair in a Greek knot, not forgetting the fillet. ATALANTA. pausing in her wild race to pick up the golden apple, simulated by an orange, forms a charming one-figure tableau ; pose in this is everything. Atalanta t must look as if she had really paused in the midst of a run. NAUSICAA AND THE MAIDENS playing ball form another pretty group, and PYGMALION AND GALATEA arte charming Galatea depicted standing on a nedestal .consisting of a packing-case covered with a white sheet, with Pygmalion regarding her with rapt attention. Powder Galatea's face, arms, and head thickly with flour, which will brush out easily enough. Another little series entitled "IN FAR JAPAN" is quaint, and at the same time exceedingly simple. Collect any Japanese accessories the house may contain, such as jars, bric-a-brac, etc. Select a group of little maidens as dark as possible, dress their hair a la Japanese, darken the eyebrows, taking care to give them the true oblique slant. The kimonos are made as follows, out of any odd lengths of . silk, art muslin, cretonne, etc. : Take a piece of plain material wide enough to reach at. the back from the neck to the waist; fold it shawlwise across the shoulders, leave a V-shaped opening at the throat; then wind a straight piece of material round the legs to form a skirt, fasten it very securely with safety-pins, and finally tie a very wide sash, reaching from Under the arms to the waist, in a huge fiat bow at the back, i If properly done this gives the effect of the hanging 1 sleeves. Group the little people on the floor, a big jar of chrysanthemums standing to one side. Let one small girl stand bearing a lacquer tea-try and Japanese cups. A study of the pictures of the year will furnish numerous ideas to fertile brains and fingers. Avoid anything too elaborate, and don't choose conflicting colours. AN IMPROMPTU FANCY-DRESS SUP- ! ' . PER . affords great .fun for the older members of the family. Boys can draw inspiration from the posters with which the hoardings are covered. "Ophelia," with dishevelled locks stuck with straws and flowers ; a " Greatgrandmother" in loose blouse and fichu, hair dressed high, powdered, and surmounted by a lace handkerchief as cap; " A Portrait," in an ordinary ; evening —plainer the betterand a 'huge picture-hat; " Spirit of Christmas," trailing white, wreath of holly and mistletoe on head, dress trimmed with same. ' Japs, Greeks, Swiss peasants are all costumes which can be evolved out of things in hand. Daily papers can be represented, and so on. . CHRISTMAS TRICKS. I always think that a Christmas party without Christmas tricks is like mince pies without the mincemeat. I believe that even my expert conjuring readers will find some new tricks among the following, which, at the same time, require no special apparatus or knowledge: —

Ask any of your friends to write tlie letter "D," and at the same time swing the left leg with a circular motion in the opposite direction to that in which the pencil is moving. Be very careful to see that they swing the leg in a circle. I personally have never met ft man who could accomplish this double action at one and the same time.

Again, how many threepenny pieces cam be placed flat on the top df a half-crown without overlapping? Any number up to six is the usual answer, but in practice it will be found that only one coin can be so placed. * The coins of the realm are extremely deceptive, as most people will discover when asked iiow mijny pennies can be placed on top of the other to reach the height of a. shilling placed on edge. The average number is sixteen.

The following feat necessitates a, certain amount of agility on the part of the gentleman who essays, it:— Place an empty matchbox in the centre of the room, and request the gentleman who is willing to try his skill to measure four of his own feet from the box. He must then stand at this distance, with both feet together, and endeavour to kick the box over, at the same time regaining his erect position. Obviously it is quite easy to kick the box over if the leg .is dropped again near itThe difficulty lies in regaining the position from which the kick is made, and those who wish to succeed should kick low.

The ladies will probably beat the gentlemen in the next feat. Place the toe against the wall, and measure the length of three feet (not the usual twelve inches, but human feet). Then, with feet together, lean forward with the hands straight down, until the top of the head touches the wall, and regain the original position without using the hands against the wall as levers. Ladies with tiny feet may find it fairly, easy, but gentlemen taking largo eights or nines will probably find the task almost impossible,. >{