Black and White Page 01
BLACK AND WHITE
A Love Story
IN THREE ACTS.
BY WILKIE COLLINS AND CHARLES FECHTER
AS FIRST PERFORMED AT THE ADELPHI THEATRE, LONDON, UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF BENJAMIN WEBSTER, ESQ., ON MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1869.
TO WHICH IS ADDED
A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES--CAST OF THE CHARACTERS--ENTRANCES AND EXITS--RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS.
CHICAGO:
THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY.
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
Count Maurice de Leyrac (Lead)
Stephen Westcraft (Heavy Character)
David Michaelmas (Low Comedy or Old Man)
Plato (1st Low Comedy)
Provost Marshal (Utility)
Wolf (2d Heavy)
Slaves, Planters, Jailors, etc.
Miss Milburn (Lead)
Mrs. Penfold (Walking Lady)
Ruth, a Quadroon (Character)
Slave Girls, etc.
TIME OF PLAYING--TWO HOURS
SCENERY (West Indian, Winter)
ACT I.--Scene 1st.--Boudoir, verandah, and landscape, in 4th grooves. Night.
Landscape on flat, distant view of high mountains; palmettos in middle distance; cactus and other tropical plants in foreground. Moon, R. C., transparent, which is not to show when this scene is seen by sunlight effect, as Scene 1st, Act 2d. Tubs of orange trees along flat. The windows in 3d groove set are French windows reaching to the foot of the flat, but are not used for entrance ways. The C. opening is large, width of a folding-doorway; curtains of light stuff to all these. Light matting down on stage front of 3d grooves, D. L. and D. R., practicable; vases of flowers, L. and R. front; candelabra, with wax candles burning, against flat. Upper entrance is arched over by a cane verandah roof. Dressing table, with mirror, L. C.; handle on it.
Scene 2d. Forest in 1st grooves, dark.
Scene 3d. Hut interior and wood in 4th grooves. Night. Limelight for moonlight effect in L. U. corner, in the flies, to cast rays upon roof U. E.
Roof let down of rafters; high up L. C., in flat, a large window, in ruins, 5 feet wide by 3 feet high, so as to discover Westcraft upon set roof on a level with its sill, A., in U. E.
ACT II.--Scene 1st. Same as Scene 1st, Act 1st, sunlight effect.
Scene 2d. Plain interior, open L. and R. E., in 1st grooves.
Scene 3d. Market-place in 5th grooves. Bright sunlight effect.
Landscape on flat. Bright sky, horizon of mountains; trees in foreground, with sugar-mill roofs, and bell-tower of planter's house. Trees for wings: sky sinks and borders. R. side : B, a profile set, representing a market cart, tilted down on the shafts, loaded with melons and yams, blending in with R. lower corner of flat, painted with clump of plants A, a vegetable stall, with awning, with melons and other fruit, L. side. 1st E., open; 2d E., set house, with pract., D., window above with striped awning; 3d g., set of wall of house; 3d E., stall of fruit and vegetables; C, profile set of rocks run on to mask side of steps, D. leading L. C. to C.
Backing to window in F., bright sky. The room is in a very dingy condition; cobwebs and stains on the walls; window-sash opens up; outside shutters open; curtains are full of holes; bed curtains are partly fallen from the canopy frame; the wall papering has a pattern of large rosettes at equal distances, so that on the L. side of window, the rows may allow of eight of these roses between it and L. set, and three roses from the set ceiling; door L. 1. E. is not to open, but is ruined no that the lights there show through it; small square of carpet down; the cabinet up R. open one door, with books tumbled out in disorder; waste-paper basket R. 1. E., upset, with papers partly out; a table R., with drawer partly open; U. E. by window arranged with open trap, so as to give the idea of stage level being of a room in the first floor over the ground floor; steps without for the window to be climbed into; small trap in flat, L. C., high up, to be reached by standing on bed.
Scene 2d. Prison interior in 1st grooves. Cane walls like those of a calaboose; shackles and chains painted on wall; open L. and R., or with transverse set with door to open L. and R.; keyhole to L. D.
Scene 3d. Same as Scene 3d, Act II.
---------- COSTUMES.
NOTE.--The action is about 1830, but the costumer of the Adelphi chose to habit the characters in dresses of the present day. His dresses, according to that course, are therefore described. The Octoroon costumes will suit very well.
LEYRAC.--Act I.: Evening dress, note book. Act II.: Cane, white hat. Act III.: Walking dress. Scene 2d, Act III.: Handsome suit.
WESTCRAFT.--Panama hat with black ribbon round it, white shirt, loose cravat in sailor fashion, white linen jacket and pants, canvas shoes, carries a bowie within his jacket collar behind right shoulder; may smoke cigarette throughout; face a little browned, black moustache, crescent-shaped, points downward, black short-crop wig, or short curl, heavy eyebrows; passionate disposition and quick with his hands; sharp, quick speech.
MICHAELMAS.--Black hat, dark brown coat, fancy flowered vest, gray pants.
PLATO.--Negro; gray hair, gray eyebrows, tall white beaver hat with loose crown half off, ragged brim, hickory shirt, blue trousers coming down to mid-leg, black leggings, striped socks, cowhide shoes, long white swallow-tail coat of linen with buttons of different sorts and colors, pockets, very deep, in the tails. He is very polite, fond of bowing.
WOLF.--Negro; striped bandanna twisted round his head; savage look, moustache and short beard; light suit.
PROVOST-MARSHAL.--Blue coat of light stuff, straw hat, light pants.
PLANTERS.--Like MARSHAL and WESTCRAFT. Dark complexions.
GUESTS.--Evening dress, European, and like WESTCRAFT.
SECRETARY TO PLATO.--Negro. Striped shirt, light trousers, ragged wide-brim straw hat. Carries large book and pencil.
NEGROES.--Straw hats of all sorts, fancy striped calicoes, bright-colored handkerchiefs.
SERVANT.--Act I.: Livery, white coat.
MISS MILBURN.--Act I., Scene 1st: Satin ball dress, with train to be quickly detached, and leave the dress for walking, light mantle for her, ready R.