Juan, by Byron.
The scene is that where Haidee discovers the insensible form of Juan
lying at the mouth of the cave, near to the sea shore. Don Juan has
been shipwrecked; his almost lifeless body has washed ashore, and
found a resting place in a rocky cave, to be discovered by the
beautiful Haidee and her attendant. The principal work in this piece
is the forming of the cave, which can be made in the following manner:
The floor of the cave should rise gradually from the front to the
background; this can be accomplished by using boxes of various sizes,
over which place brown cambric, with brown paper attached to it in a
crumpled manner, so as to imitate ragged rocks, and when painted with
light and brown colors, and ornamented with isinglass, will make a
very good appearance. The floor of the cave should extend to within
three feet of the front of the stage, and run back to the extreme
background. The space between the footlights and the floor of the cave
should be covered with blue cambric, painted to represent waves and
surf. Directly behind the drop curtain there should be a
representation of the roof and sides of the cave. Light frames,
covered with brown paper, similar to the floor, and made very
irregular at the edges, must be placed at each side of the stage, and
at the top; these should be two feet wide, and of the height and width
of the stage. Two other sets of frames should be made similar to the
first, and placed at equal distances from the fore to the background.
The first set must be three feet wide; the second set four feet wide.
The background of the cave may also be covered with similar scenery.
The idea of arranging the scenery in this manner is to give a deep
appearance to the cave. Isinglass should be profusely sprinkled over
the surface of the rocks, and a few sprigs of grass fastened to them
will add to the effect. The fastening of the brown paper to the frames
can be dispensed with if there is any person who can paint out the
rocks on plain canvas. The one who personates Juan should be of slight
figure, fine, regular features, hair black and curly, and small
moustache. Costume consists of black pants, with buff or gold stripe
at the side, white shirt, with blue collar, and gold star at the
corners, black belt around the waist, white hose, low shoes, with
buckles of silver. The shirt should be left open in the neck, so as to
expose the bosom. A small wound can be imitated on the side of the
head, m