THE P Successful Rural Plays A Strong List From Which to Select Your Next Play FARM FOLKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur Lewis Tubes. For five male and six female characters. Time of playing, two hours and a half. One simple exterior, two easy interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a farmer's daughter, is engaged to Philip Burleigh, a young New Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. Dave Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience alternately to tears and to laughter. Price, 25 cents. HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur Lewis Tubes. Characters, four male, five female. Plays two hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer. When Martin discovers who Harold is, he orders him to leave Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth dis- covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. Price 25 cents. THE OLD NEAV HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For seven males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play everybody understands and likes. Price, 25 cents. THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting and novel. Price, 15 cents. A -WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in Fi\'e Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero, a country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which results in their betrothal. A scoundrelly clerk has the banker in his power, but the White Mountain boy finds a way to check- mate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girl. Price 15 cents. THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY PHILADELPHIA A Rumpus on Olympus By MABEL H. CRANE PHILADELPHIA THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY i9'5 Copyright 191 5 by The Penn Publishing Company A Rumpus on Olympus .27 1915 D 41323 A Rumpus on Olympus CAST OF CHARACTERS Juno ...... Queen of Olympus Minerva Hebe Venus \ , , . goddesses in Juno's court Terpsichore Diana Mrs. Gordon Towne-Louden . a woman of the world Katrina ....... her aviatress Other goddesses as desired. Time : — Twenty-five minutes. STORY OF THE PLAY Juno, Queen of Heaven, is holding an indignation meet- ing with her ladies. Her husband, Jupiter, seems to like the ladies of Earth better than the goddesses, including his wife. Just at this moment the airship of Mrs. Gordon Towne-Louden breaks down on her way to a reception, and she descends upon Olympus for repairs. The goddesses are surprised to find themselves snubbed as " not in our setr. " The earth lady shows, however, that she knows a thing or two about managing men. The goddesses listen eagerly to her suggestions on hats and gowns, language and manners. ''Let the men have all the opinions. Don't quarrel with your husband. It's bad form, really." She shows them the latest fashions in a magazine. "Earth, it seems, has much to teach us." Finally, Mrs. Towne-Louden takes Juno off in her airship to visit Earth and to learn the secrets of the earth ladies. PROPERTIES Card and lorgnette for Mrs. Gordon Towne-Louden, a brass bowl or urn, a large woman's magazine. COSTUMES, ETC. The goddesses wear robes of cheese-cloth, in various har- monious colors, and draped about them in Greek fashion. Pictures to be found in encyclopedias under " Greek Cos- tumes " or in dictionaries will assist in designing the cos- tumes. Mrs. Gordon Towne-Louden is dressed extravagantly in the height of fashion, and carries a lorgnette. Katrina wears full bloomers, a long coat, cap and goggles. SCENE PLOT O SCAT SCENE. — Olympus. Wall in rear hung with blue cheese-cloth ; floor covered with blue cloth ; two wings, R. and L., made of white cheese-cloth to suggest clouds, hung down from the ceiling, or, if possible, looped in folds. If this is not feasible, have doors r. and l. White cheese- cloth, similarly looped, may extend across the top of the stage front, thus framing the blue background with white. Throne, up L., is a large chair on a platform draped with white cheese-cloth. Low seat, down r., also draped. A Rumpus on Olympus SCENE. — Olympus, home of the gods. Blue background, with 7vhite cotton clouds. Wings of white cheese-cloth hung in looped folds. Up i.. ct throne. See Scene Plot. (^Curtain discloses up c. Minerva, Venus, Diana. They eagerly 7vaich Terpsichore, down c. , as she tries to catch and execute a moder?i dance step. They make feeble at- tempts to imitate her.) Venus {throwing herself on steps of throne^. Oh, I can't get it at all. Terpsichore. Look, it was something like this. {Tries step as before, but awkivardly.) Minerva {stopping atid looking severely at Terpsichore). You call that dancing? And you are Terpsichore, goddess of dancing ! Diana {trying the step). You saw him doing it thus? And thus? Terpsichore {with an angry look at Minerva, r.). I tell you I saw great Jove himself doing it — as 1 showed you. Minerva {going up c). And he has just returned from earth. It is some strange, new mischief he has picked up from earth's senseless daughters. Why, I {She stops and looks R. as loud screams are heard off r.) Hebe ! My child — what is the matter? {Goes R.) Hebe {running in r, sobbing, her hand to her head). Oh, oh, oh ! Others {gathering around her and leading her dozvn c. ). What is the matter ? Hebe, speak ! Hebe {sobbing). Oh, she — boxed — my — ears ! Others. Juno ? Hebe {sobbing). Juno ! And I — wasn't doing anything wrong. 6 A RUMPUS ON OLYMPUS Minerva. There, child — tell us. What were you doing ? Hebe. It was great Jupiter himself Others {to each other y ivith an air of I-told-you-so'). Ah, great Jupiter himself. Go on, child. Hebe. He was showing me a new dance step. Terpsichore. Ah ! A new dance step. Was it like this? {Takes steps . ) Hebe {brightening a little^. Yes — can you do it too, Terpsichore? He learned it of the daughters of earth. Minerva {gloomily). What did I tell you ? Well — go on. Hebe. And Juno came upon it as we danced — and she — oh, but she was angry. Venus. Oh, what sirens are these daughters of earth ! How they lead even the gods astray ! And then she struck you? And what did great Jupiter? Hebe. Oh, he only laughed and fled. Minerva. How like a man ! Beware how you pro- voke her, Hebe. Since Jupiter has taken to visiting earth Olympus is in a turmoil. So she boxed your ears ? [Enter JUNO, r.) Juno. Yes — as I will yours, Minerva, under like provo- cation. Others {bo7ving before her"). Majesty ! Juno {moving to throne up l. and seating herself). These strange earth customs have bewitched great Jove. I will not have you practice them. You hear me? Others {bowing). Majesty ! Minerva. Is there no way to break this foul enchant- ment ? Juno {gloomily). I know of none. Venus {smiling, with graceful, alluring gestures). Oh, there are ways. There are ways. Juno. Vanity ! The daughters of earth have out- stripped thee, Venus. Venus. How so ? Juno {bitterly). They have charms you know not of. Venus. Impossible ! Juno. It is true. They have utterly won my husband, Jupiter, from me. He gives ir.e but cold looks and impa- tient words now. Others. Oh, no ! ' A RUMPUS ON OLYMPUS J Juno {sadly). Ah, yes. ( With sudden pride she straightens up). But I will not have it so. Am I not Queen of Heaven ? Others {bowing). You are, Majesty. (Terpsichore goes backward, bowing, and exit, r.) Juno. It is not for me, the Queen, to submit silently to such injustice as Jupiter hath now put upon me. Some wicked, pilfering earthworm from below, some human woman, has enchained his wandering fancy. Hebe. Weep not, our beloved Queen. 'Tis but a pass- ing desire, for what mere daughter of earth can compare with our beauteous Juno ? Juno. But he comes from earth so cold, so captious, even critical of me, his wife. Could I but know what charms these mortal women have, and how I fail 1 Minerva. Oh, Queen Juno, I have a suggestion. Juno {turning eagerly toward her). What now have you to offer, wise Minerva ? Speak, for Jupiter is like to turn my reason. Minerva {leanitig forward triutnphantly). Let us de- scend to earth and learn what we must fear from these, our rivals, and add their power to our Olympian charms. Juno. Send to earth ! Oh, what would Jupiter say? Hebe. But whom could we send ? Venus. Why not commission Cupid, for he certainly hath a discerning eye for earthly charms. Hebe. Cupid ! He would himself be so enslaved, 'tis doubtful if he would return at all. {Sound of airship's propeller outside, or the honk of an automobile horn.) Hark ! What was that ? But, see ! Terpsichore comes running ! {Enter Terpsichore, r., in great excitement.) Terpsichore. Oh, listen ! The strangest thing hath happened ! I know not whether to laugh, or be afraid, or what to do. Some strange creature, in a strange con- trivance, hath appeared in a cloud near by, and it comes hither ! {Cowers behind Diana, r.) Diana {swaggering). Fear not. If 'twere the wildest boar, 'twould be but sport to me. Juno {eagerly). Tell us how it looks. 8 A RUMPUS ON OLYMPUS Terpsichore {emerging, from behind Diana, and coming down R.). Well — great Juno — it hath eyes and nose — and all the features of the face Juno. Arms and legs ? Terpsichore. Well, of that I'm not so sure. It moves about and waves what might be arms and legs, but it is all covered up in strange tight wrappings. What might be feet are like unto hoofs, but draperies like drooping wings hide them from view. JUNO {rnajestically). Continue ! Terpsichore. And on its head is something terrible of fur and fruit and little birds, and over that some veilings that mercifully almost hide it. Minerva [down l. ). Doth the creature speak ? Terpsichore. Yes, it said {mimicking), "■ My word ! What next?" Minerva (musing). Could it indeed be a mortal? Juno. It may be. Go, bring it here, Diana. Ladies, cease your babel, lest you frighten it. (^Exit Diana, r.) Conspire with me to lend it ease and a peaceful mind in our august presence, else we might not learn the creature at its best. Remain about me and be silent. Mrs. Gordon Towne-Louden [heard outside). Really, my good woman, this is too annoying ! (^Enters, R., and comes down, c. ; Diana moves up, r.) On my way to the reception of the year, you might say, my airship breaks down and I find myself stranded in this out-of-the-way place while my girl Katrina parachutes back for some stupid little screw or something. Most annoying, I'm sure ! Juno (iviih dignity). Woman, peace ! Who are you ? Mrs. G. T.-L. (raising lorgnette and moving up c. to inspect Juno). Indeed, and who are you ? Physical cul- ture class? Or possibly dancing of the modern barefoot variety ? Really, quite out of fashion, you know, now, in all the best families. Juno. Are you then of earth ? Mrs. G. T.-L. Of earth ? Well, certainly not yet of heaven, like you ladies. (Produces card with an air.) The Mrs. Gordon Towne-Louden, you understand. (Hands card to Juno, 7ejho looks at the back of it and drops it disdainfully.) But you are quite right to inquire. (Loftily.) One never knows whom one is meeting these days. And you are — er ? (Moves again doivn c.) A RUMPUS ON OLYMPUS q Juno (Jiaughiily). 1 am Queen Juno — and these are my ladies. Mrs. G. T.-L. Ah, of the nobility. {Acquires more tnanner.) The Gordon Towne-Loudens, too, may lay claim to noble blood. [In important narrative style.') In nineteen hundred, my third cousin's wife was much admired by the Earl of Juno {interrupting). Do all the women of the earth look like you ? Mrs. G. T.-L. {looking consciously pleased^. No, I can't say that they do. Few have my smart style, and my masseuse says that Juno. What is that on your head ? Mrs. G. T.-L. Oh, that is rather good, you know. Right from Poiret ! His name is in the lining. {Takes off hat and going up c. hands it to Juno. She puts it on back- wards and looks to goddesses for approval, hands it to them and they pass it back to Mrs. Gordon Towne-Louden, who retreats down c. ) I had to change the color of my hair to wear it, you know. Poiret himself said, "Madame, with that very distingu6 air of yours — nothing else would do." He really did ! {Laughs.) It isn't paid for yet. Worth built my frock, and when he saw this hat he said Juno {unheeding, and staring at her). Do all the women of the world wear what you do, or do you hide a pitiful deformity ? What are those things on your feet ? Mrs. G. T.-L. Deformity! The idea! Is it possible that you are wearing flat heels up here ? ( Walks up and down the stage displaying her shoes.) You are behind the limes. Juno. Behind the times ? Mrs. G. T.-L. {stopping down u.). Yes, out of date. Pardon me, but in our world even Venus herself would be a wallflower if she weren't right up to the top notch. Venus {tossing her head). A wallflower? Well, I like that ! Juno. This being up to date — I like it not — but if Jupi- ter Tell me, woman, our royal robes are — what? Mrs. G. T.-L. Off decidedly ! Why, they would never take you into the hotels in our world. But have you never been there? Juno. No, but I am going with my ladies ere long. Mrs. G. T.-L. Sightseeing tour, I presume? Well, our new city hall 10 A RUMPUS ON OLYMPUS Juno. I crave to see more creatures like yourself — al- though I do confess the sight doth raise my anger. Thun- der and lightning I can stand, but Minerva (