Mirth Drill and Tableaux. BY ISABEL Goodhue. CHARACTERS-Fourteen girls. COSTUMES Greek Gowns. Music-In common time, of a light and graceful character and suggestive of mirth. EXPRESSION OF THE FACES-Decidedly merry during all the steps and attitudes. In some divisions of the drill the laughter expresses the ecstasy of mirth. CHANGES OF ATTITUDE—In time with the music and with grace and sprightliness. In Division IV. each girl bends forward in increased mirth, on count I slaps her right knee lightly with her right hand, letting the hand spring from the knee, arresting the motion at this point and holding the position for the remainder of the count. In Division VI., with a hand on each side of the torso above the waist, each girl revolves at the waist in a circle in perfect time, ending the revolution in an attitude of heartiest laughter when the mirth is at its climax as illustrated. DRILL Consists of six divisions, each division being composed of graceful and buoyant Steps and Arm Motions executed in time to lively music and ending in Three Attitudes, each to be held through eight counts; the semicircles breaking gaily into the motion of the next division of the drill. Those taking part should be arranged in two semicircles as in diagram of semicircles. Diagram of Semicircles. Front of stage. The ideal pictures and thoughts to be expressed in face and form are supplied in the following lines from Milton's "L'Allegro": DIVISION I. Front of stage Step to A with right foot, hands on hips, ear turned as if listening, in direction of step. Face smiling, as if in half-concealed merriment. Two (2) counts. (First two counts of the measure.) Return to X with a buoyant step. Two (2) counts. Repeat the same thing at B. Four (4) counts. Repeat the same thing at C. Four (4) counts. Repeat the same thing at D. Four (4) counts, but use left foot and have left ear turned as if listening. Repeat at E the same thing as at D. Four (4) counts. Repeat at F as at D. Four (4) counts. After the step at F and return, all assume Attitude I. Hold eight (8) counts, then assume Attitude II. Hold eight (8) counts. Then assume Attitude III. Hold eight (8) counts. NOTE. The third attitude in each division blends the two into one |