THE WOMANLESS WEDDING "~ - BY MRS. JAMES W. HUNT. PRICE 25 CENTS Eldridge Entertainment House Franklin, Ohio Denver, Colo. GET THIS NEW PATRIOTIC MONOLOG "THE STARS AND STRIPES IN FLANDERS" BY SEYMOUR S. TtBBALS LJERE is a ten minute dramatic reading 1 [ with a climax that will cause a thrill. Suitable for a male or female reader and a number that will strengthen any program. We recommend it for any patriotic celebra- tion, commencement, alumni or civic banquet. The story deals with the manner in which the news of America's entrance into the war was received in a dugout in Belgium. A col- onel of artillery, a priest and an Irish-Ameri- can are the leading characters. You will like it. PRICE 25 CENTS THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKLIN, OHIO - • DENVER, COLO. The Womanless Wedding By Mrs. James W. Hunt. Copyright, 1918, Eldridge Entertainment House Published by ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE, FRANKLIN, OHIO DENVER, COLO. CHARACTERS ^oT MISS PETITE FRANCE Bride. MR. U. S. AMERICA Groom. MR. PARIS FRANCE Father of Bride. MRS. PARIS FRANCE Mother of Bride. MR. LONDON ENGLAND Uncle of Bride. MRS. LONDON ENGLAND Aunt of Bride. MR. ANGLO SAXON Grandfather of Bride. MRS. ANGLO SAXON Grandmother of Bride. MISS MADRID SPAIN Guest. MRS. KNOW ALL A neighbor. MISS RIGA RUSSIA— Jilted Sweetheart of Groom. AUNT AFRICA Colored Nurse. MARSEILLES Baby sister of Bride. MR. LEYDEN HOLLAND Ring bearer. MR. ROME ITALY Train bearer to Bride. MR. MONTREAL CANADA Best Man. MISS JANEIRO BRAZIL Soloist. Flower girl, bridesmaids, groomsmen, minister and twins. Other characters may be introduced, if desired. Time — One to one and one-half hours. GENERAL DIRECTIONS As title indicates, no women are to be used in this play, unless desired. Special care should be exercised in the selection of the cast. Use prominent men. Men taking ladies' parts should wear ladies' shoes if possible. A small groom and large bride will prove effective. Have costumes and stage effects as elaborate as possible. An altar draped in red, white and blue is appropriate. STAGE DIRECTIONS L. F., left front. R. F., right front. B. C, back center. TMP92-009165 DEC 12 1318 © C[D COSTUMES AND PROPERTIES Bride — A rich bridal dress with train, veil, gloves, flowers. Groom — Evening suit, gloves. Father of Bride — Dark suit. Mother of Bride — Purple satin dress and hat to match. Handbag containing handkerchief, comb, brush, ap- ple and doll. Uncle of Bride — Dark suit, light vest. Aunt of Bride — Lavender satin dress, black trimmings, hat and gloves. Grandfather — Dark suit, walking cane, gray wig. Grandmother — Black silk dress, small black hat and veil. Black gloves and walking cane. Miss Spain — Yellow satin dress, hat and gloves. Mrs. Knowall — Light satin dress, hat and gloves. Fan, smelling salts. Miss Russia — Light silk dress, hat, gloves, handkerchief. Aunt Africa — Dark dress, white apron and cap. Baby carriage. Baby Sister — Long white baby dress, cap and ribbons. Toys. Ringbearer — Peter Pan suit. White stockings and slip- pers. White satin pillow. Ring. Train-bearer — Peter Pan suit, white. Stockings and slippers to match. Miss Brazil — Pink or blue satin dress, hat, gloves, flow- ers, sheet music. Best Man — Black suit. Flower Girl — Short white dress. Pink sash and hair rib- bon, or hat showing long hair. White stockings and slippers. Basket and flowers. Groomsmen — Dark suits, light vests and white gloves. Bridesmaids — Light satin dresses, gloves, picture hats, flowers. Twins — Boy. Short trousers, white blouse, and tie, white socks and slippers. Girl. Short white dress, hat with hair attached. White socks and slippers. Minister — Frock coat. Bible. The Womanless Wedding, ACT I. SCENE I. A very large parlor with but little furniture except chairs, settees, and a large altar placed at L. C. of stage. Ushers stand at regular entrance of auditorium. First usher brings guests up the right aisle. Second usher brings guests up the left aisle. First Usher — (With uncle and aunt, comes to middle of stage.) Allow me to present to you the uncle and aunt of the bride. (All bow to front, and usher returns to his position at entrance, as does each usher after pre- senting the guests.) Uncle — (Gazing around leisurely) And this is where the wedding's to be! Are you sure, ma, we're not too late? Aunt — (Leisurely seating herself) Oh, pa, don't you see the candles are not burnt out? It's an hour till the wedding. The bride hasn't got the paint on her face yet. Uncle — Well, if she is my niece, I'll not give her a single cent if she steps out here all painted up and in high heeled shoes. No, no, she'll never get my money. Aunt — Pa, your niece is as old as I am. Do you think that nice looking young man would marry her if he saw her wrinkles ? No, let her paint, pa. She needs some- thing to make her decent looking. Here comes Mrs. Knowall. She'll tell us whether your money is needed. I say, if the girl's doing well, she is marrying for money. Second Usher — (Brings Mrs. K. up left aisle to stage and introduces her to audience. Both bow. Usher exit. Mrs. K. greets former guests, who rise.) Uncle — How do you do, Mrs. Knowall? Isn't this a lovely evening for the wedding? (All resume seats.) Do tell us what the neighbors say about the match. Is my niece doing — er — to say well? Mrs. K. — (Knowingly) It's a thousand wonders she ever roped in Mr. America. He's been a dreadful flirt and everybody knows Miss Russia is heartbroken be- cause he jilted her. In fact, he could get his pick of any of the girls. Aunt. — (Excitedly.) Poor fellow! That horrible Miss Russia won't want alimony, will she ? Mrs. K. — No telling. Her heart is broken, I tell you. She'll soon want the undertaker. She's a perfect shadow now. She'll faint if she sees him kiss the bride tonight. Nervous prostration has already set in. But hush, here she comes. (Enter first usher with Miss Rus- sia, tveeping audibly. He introduces her to audience: "This is Miss Russia, the jilted sweetheart of the groom," and exits. Mrs. K. arranges a seat for Miss R., fans her and offers her smelling salts. Uncle and aunt whisper to each other knowingly.) Second Usher — (Enter with Miss Spain) This is Miss Spain, a guest. (To audience.) Miss Spain — (Shaking hands with all except Miss Russia, who refuses to look up, being buried in grief.) Well, I just want to bet with some one. I'll bet a million dollars that the bride's parents are the happiest folks in town tonight. That girl is thirty years old, if she is a day. But she is a mighty nice girl, so sweet and indus- trious. (Apologetically.) Mrs. K. — The saying goes that her father promised a house and lot in the trade, but since her chances were scarce, Mr. America got him to throw in a couple of thousand before he agreed to take the girl off the old gentleman's hands. Miss Russia — It's money, money, he's after! He'll never love another woman as he loved me. I can't bear it. (Weeps audibly.) Second Usher — (Enters with Aunt Africa, rolling the baby in the carriage) (To audience.) This is Aunt Africa and the baby sister of the bride. Aunt Africa — Now set up honey, right whar you can see the weddin'. Chile, that's the prettiest little bride that eber the sun shined on. She warn't big as you when I took her to raise, and, chile, she gets smarter and han'- somer eber bref she draws. White folks in dis town ain't never seen sich a weddin' as dis am gwine to be. (Solicitously regards baby.) Miss Spain — Say, Aunty, do you live here? Aunt Africa— Yas'm, I been nussin' the twins till they got so they could trot aroun\ I nussin' this baby now. Her ma been so busy lately gettin' ready for Miss Petite's weddin' that she near gin the baby to me. Mrs. Knowall — Say, er — Aunty, do you know wheth- er we are going to have anything to eat tonight? I have- n't eaten a wedding supper in five years. Supper is the best part of a wedding — yes, and plenty of cake to dream over. Miss Russia — (Sobbing) Our family has always spent enough on a wedding to have a big infair and plen- ty of wedding cake. Aunt Africa — They ain't gwine to be no cake. Mis- sus say that the po' white trash eats at weddin's, and quality folks alius has a dance to enjoy theyselves with. (Haughtily.) First Usher — (Enters with grandfather and grand- mother of the bride, stooped with age and walking slowly with canes.) Allow me to present to you the grandfather and grandmother of the bride. (Both remain standing while others shake hands with them. Grandmother speaks to baby and chuckles it under the chin. Grand- father manifests interest.) Grandmother — (Placing hand affectionately on hus- band's shoulder) Cheer up John, this puts me in mind of our wedding day, fifty-two years ago. Ah, how your shoulders have stooped since then! And your hair is white too, John, but to me you're just the same. Grandfather — Well, if our granddaughter, Petite, makes as good a wife as you, Mr. America will bless this hour to his dying day. (Turns to nurse) Aunt Africa, don't let that baby fall out. Second Usher — (Enters with mother of bride, who is leading the twins.) Ladies and gentlemen, this is the mother of the bride, with the twins. (All pi~esent speak to mother, during which time the twins shake the car- riage and annoy the baby. Nurse shakes them and takes them away. Twins go to grandparents and sit in their laps. Mother coaxes them away with an apple and a doll) Mrs. Knowall — (Rising and, pointing to boy) That boy will be hanged before he is twenty-one. He gets his meanness from both sides of the house. Mother — (Wrathfully) No, indeed, madam. It all comes from his father's side. (She leads twins off to one side.) Now stay right by me and watch for sister to come. (She uses handkerchief and comb and brush on twins.) Aunt Africa — Them twins are as good as other chillun. Most boys* is fluentsome, and your own sister's boy talks back. He is highly independentsome and dera- tional than that boy. (Points to twin.) Mother — (Putting away toilet articles) Well, if I ever felt relieved, it's now. I'll walk right by the neigh- bors with my head up, as if to tantalize them. Any one of them would like to have added my new son-in-law to her own family. My daughter Petite has always been the most popular girl in town. She went to thirty-seven dances last year, received one hundred forty presents and was voted the prettiest girl in town eight years ago — that was when the twins were mere babies. In her time she has worn four diamonds, and had nine offers of mar- riage. (To little girl) Turn around. I do believe your sash has come unpinned. I didn't have time to half dress you. (Mother continues, addressing Aunt Africa) Aunt Africa, did Mrs. Germany ever send a wedding present over today? Aunt Africa — No'm, that she didn't. What Mrs. Austria sent was a pan pretended to be silver, but it warn't as heavy as a tin pie pan, and her card read "Re- grets." I don't know what 'tis she regrets. Mother — That's it — jealousy. But they couldn't put up the money we could. Miss Russia — Yes, it's money, money he's after. He'll never love another girl as he loved me. Mother — Our family has always prided itself in its social position — (Haughtily) pride of ancestry, I call it, and Mr. America, coming of good descent himself, ap- predated the fact. But here they come. (Places a twin on each side of her and assumes dignity.) First Usher — (Enters with Miss Brazil.) This is Miss Brazil, a college chum of the bride. (Miss Brazil remains standing to sing solo. "Silver Threads Among the Gold," "Hot Time," or other appropriate song, while piano prelude is being played and guests are quietly moving seats to rear of stage. Guests group themselves at right and left of stage to make room for wedding party.) Miss Brazil — (Sings and moves to right of stage. Pianist begins march) (Enter first usher and first maid from up right aisles respectively. On mounting stage, each crosses to other side, passing each other in front of altar and take positions as shoivn in diagram. Then follow second usher and second maid from up left and right aisles respectively and proceed as did first pair. If more ushers and maids are used, proceed in same manner. Enter flower girl from left and ring-bearer from right, who takes positions on left and right of altar respectively. Enter bride with father from right, and groom with best man from left. They mount stage at same time, cross in front of altar, and turning, take positions behind altar, the bride being on the left and the groom on the right. Best man stands at right of groom, and fa- ther at left of bride. Enter minister from right of stage, taking his position facing the bride and groom.) Minister — (Holding book and speaking in austere tone.) Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the presence of the family, relatives and neighbors to join together this man and woman in the estate of continual turmoil and strife. If there be any present who know any cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let them now speak, or else forever after hold their peace. Miss Russia — I object! It's not fair. (Comes out in front of altar.) He was engaged to me for three years. Uncle — (Walks out and leads Miss Russia to seat) It's too late now. The divorce court is your only hope. (Leaves her weeping) Minister — (Proceeding) This trouble being dis- posed of we shall proceed. Who gives this bride away? Aunt Africa — (Stepping to front in dignified man- ner) I reckon I raised that gal and I'll give her away. Father — I do. (Father disengages himself from bride and steps to left. Best man steps to right) Minister — (Proceeding) Do you want to get mar- ried? (Addressing groom) Groom — I do. Minister — Do you want to get married? (Address- ing bride) Bride — I do. Minister — Friends, we now have before us, two in- nocent, unsuspecting souls, who up to this time have lived happily, enjoying the many pleasures of single blessedness. Now all this is suddenly to be brought to an end. This couple now wishes to enter the holy bonds of matrimony. Join right hands. (To groom) Is there a token? (Best man takes ring from ring-bearer's pil- low, and hands it to groom, who places it on bride's fin- ger.) (To groom) Wilt thou have this woman for bet- ter or for worse? — Aunt Africa — (Interrupting) Man, take that gal just as she is. She can't get no better, and if she gets worse, I'll tend to her myself. Minister — (Proceeding) Wilt thou give her all thy money to spend? Wilt thou never fuss if she burns the bread or forgets the supper? Wilt thou freely and will- ingly support her father, mother, sisters, the twins, her widowed aunt and seven children, that poor old grand- father and mother, with their worthless grandson and three poodle dogs ? Groom — (Interrupting) I will. Minister — Wilt thou keep two automobiles for them and not complain when thou hast to walk? Wilt thou keep her better dressed than her father did, and let her take a trip to New York twice a year? Wilt thou glad- ly buy her paint, high-heeled shoes and false hair? In short, wilt thou be humbly obedient, allowing her to have her way in all things whatsoever, so long as ye both shall live? The answer is, "I will." Groom — I will. Minister — Miss France, wilt thou have this man for thy wedded husband, forsaking all others, and cleaving to him only, rich or poor, drunk or sober, so long as ye both shall live? Bride — (Interrupting) I will. Minister — Wilt thou gladly darn his socks, light his pipe, build the fires and press his clothes? Wilt thou hoe the garden and milk the cows? Wilt thou stay at home and let him go to parties? Wilt thou shine his shoes and never search his pockets? Wilt thou release him willingly to go to war? Wilt thou gladly wear made- over dresses, and joyfully welcome thy mother-in-law? Wilt thou promise to make his life as miserable as pos- sible, so long as ye both shall live? The answer is, "I will." Bride — I will. Minister — I pronounce you man and woman, and may every one pity your poor souls. (Groom kisses the bride. Minister shakes hands with bride and groom. Guests join in con- gratulations. Aunt Africa rolls baby up and lifts it from carriage to kiss the bride. Altar is quietly moved from stage. Wedding party and guests take positions for Old Virginia Reel. Men form line from R. F. to B. C. Ladies form line from L. F. to B. C. Bride and groom are on ends of respective lines at back. Pianist plays "Turkey in the Straw." Groom and lady at opposite end dance out, meet and bow. Bride and man at opposite end execute same move- ments. First couple again dance out, join right hands, siving and return. Second couple, likewise. First couple again dance out, join left hands, swing and return. Second couple, likewise. First couple again dance out, join both hands and swing. Sec- ond couple likewise. First couple again dance out, and dance around one another, keeping their backs together, and return to places. Second couple, like- wise. Bride and groom join hands, promenade to front and return. Groom swings ladies, beginning at back of stage. Bride swings men, beginning at front. As bride and groom release their respective partners at center of stage, they swing each other, before swinging persons next in line. When through swinging, bride and groom again promenade to front. Tableau, if desired.) CURTAIN if % HEW RED CROSS PLAY FOR GIRLS CAPTAIN ANNE of the RED CROSS OR- How the Militant Ghosts Saved Millville Here is a genuine Red Cross Comedy for 10 girl characters. A happy play that will send your Chapter over the top with a smile on any kind of a drive. "Capt. Anne of the Red Cross" has just been written by Miss Merab Eberle and while dignifying the great Order of Mercy the act- ion proceeds with a spirit of fun that will make a hit in any community. The plot deals with an attempt to destroy a munition factory by foreign plotters and how the girls of the surgical dressing class, robed in their gowns, frightened them away. A welcome relief in these days of sober numbers on entertainment programs. One interior setting. Easily costumed and staged. Time about one hour and a half. ^^ .PRICE 25 CENTS^^s£^ THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKUN, OHIO also ^'££r< DENVER, COLO. THE NEW COSTUME BOOK HERE AT LAST IS A BOOK WHICH WILL BE WELCOMED BY EVERYONE WHO HAS AN ENTERTAINMENT IN CHARGE AMATEURS' COSTUME BOOK ' — ■ By ELIZABETH GUPTILL DESCRIBES ACCURATELY HOW JO MAKE OVER 100 COSTUMES FOR Mother Goose Characters Fairies, Witches, Goblins Spirit of Christmas Characters of Flowers Patriotic Personalities Elves, Brownies and Gnomes A Variety of Dolls Little Folks of Long Ago Grecian Maids and Matron Characters of Comedy The Four Seasons Holiday Characters Different Nationalities Angels, Cupids, etc. etc. ILLUSTRATED FROM ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS Useful to enterprising mothers who are called upon to costume their children for amateur entertainments or fancy dress parties. ::::::: PRICE PAPER, SO CENTS CLOTH, 75 CENTS ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKLIN, OHIO ^ % ^ % DENVER, COLO. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 103 427 7 & Tie Pageant of uic num Especially recommended for a Red Cross benefit or any patriotic entertainment to raise funds for the army at home or abroad. :: :: "The SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY H AN ALLEGORICAL PAGEANT OF THE WORLD WAR, IN BLANK VERSE, By MERAB EBERLE The action takes place at the throne of Autocracy, following a brief prologue by the prophet. The allies come to the aid of the Spirit of Democracy and crush Autocracy. :: The pageant may be given indoors or out- doors and is capable of simple or elaborate production. :: :: :: :: :: :: A SPLENDID FEATURE ON ANY PATRIOTIC PROGRAM 16 characters, male and female or all female. Time about 30 minutes. :: :: :: :: ^^^ PRICE 25 CENTS^^gs^ ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKLIN, OHIO ^ # j. DENVER, COLO.