NOTE ON THE PLAY. When In His Steps was given in Topeka, the pulpit platform was enlarged, steps leading down from each side; curtains, footlights and scenery were not used; only the most necessary articles of furniture were put on the stage. When a curtain seemed necessary the lights In the present edition the description of stage, entrances, etc., presupposes stage properties. Of course if the play is to be given on the pulpit platform, modification may be necessary. The prologue and epilogue are scenes taken from the first presentation, and were put on in the following manner: The first three or four rows of seats in the middle of the church are reserved for the audience of actors. These seats, pulpit and choir loft are the settings for the scenes. while the audience, minister, and choir take their places. When the lights are turned on, the audience is seated, the minister standing in the pulpit and the choir in place. The funeral scene was put on in the same way. At the close of the third act, Loreen remains on the stretcher. While the lights are low, a drapery is thrown over Loreen, the chairs are arranged, the pledge-takers, except Powers, seat themselves, and the friends of Loreen, with shawls, sometimes over their heads as foreign women wear them in our cities, file into the places reserved for the audience of actors. The prologue and epilogue in the Central Church were easily staged. If they can be well put on, they make vivid pictures and should be retained. If the setting seems too difficult for the ordinary stage or platform, these scenes may be omitted since the drama is complete without them. SUGGESTION ON THE CHARACTERS. Maxwell.—Tall, slight, distinguished: nervous but decided manner, 38. Norman.—Large with an air of conscious power, determined face, 50. Powers.—Medium size, alert, happy face, clouded by trouble, 40. West. Short, baldheaded, jolly face, blunt manner, 48. Manning.—Tall, haggard, angular, quiet manner and voice, 25. Mrs. Winslow.—Small, pretty, soft-spoken, weak woman, 40. Virginia Page.—Slight, dark, decided, vivacious, 26. Loreen.—Delicate, pretty girl, 18. Alice, Maud, Dorothy.—Fashionable young ladies. PROLOGUE.—Church Scene. ACT I.—Editor's Office. Six months elapse. ACT II.—Room in Virginia's Home. Six months elapse. ACT III.—The Same. EPILOGUE.—The Funeral of Loreen. TIME AND PLACE. Raymond.—A Manufacturing Town in the United States. 1896—1897. CAST OF CHARACTERS. As presented by the young people of Central Congregational Church of Topeka, Kansas, under the direction of Professor F. H. Lane of Washburn College, December 19 and 20, 1910, at the church building. Henry Maxwell.—Pastor of First Church Raymond Edward Norman.-Editor of The News.. Rollin Page.-Brother of Virginia. John Manning.-Printer tramp.. Virginia Page.-A Millionaire.. Madam Page.-Virginia's grandmother.... Mrs. Winslow.-Rachel's mother. Loreen.-Child of the slums.. Mr. Anthony Karnes Mr. Lester Filson .Mr. Ralph Lemon Mr. Chester Davison . Mr. Morris Sanders .Mr. John Harrington .Mr. Samuel Leger Mr. Fred Chamberlain .Miss Ina Kendall . Miss Hattie Halbert . Miss Allison Shaver .Miss Margaret Taylor .Miss Maureen McKernan Society friends of Virginia.—Miss Florence White, Miss Jean Watts, Miss Carolyn Lovewell. Servants of Virginia.—Miss Vina Sherman, Miss Stella Ferrin, Mr. Lucius Marham. |