Front matter
C0PHUGHT DEPOSIT.
THE
DRAWING-ROOM STAGE:
Preface
As "The Social Stage," " The Mimic Stage," and " Amateur Dramas" are still "live" books in the publishers' catalogue, and greedy amateurs are crying for " more," the author is confident that he will not wear his "welcome out by the publication of " The Drawing-room Stage ; " although, as it contains his fiftieth dramatic composition, the title of a " prolific writer," so often applied, for good or ill, to those who play frequent engagements upon the world's broad stage with pen and ink in " sock and buskin," may fairly be fastened upon him. This, certainly, is not always a meritorious distinction, and would be poor satisfaction to the author for his efforts, should not a few grains of truth and thought be found in his acres of caricature and burlesque. This volume, like its predecessors, is designed to present original and healthy entertainment for the home circle, the exhibition hall, and the school platform. The same plans which characterize the former volumes may be found here — the doing away with elaborate
4 PREFACE.
scenery and costumes, the absence of strained and unnatural " spouting," and, as far as possible in dealing with every-day characters, the omission of " slang." Were this latter excluded altogether, a good play might be written, but the best-natured audience would fail to find " characters," or to be amused, and the strongest railer against this " custom of American society" be the first to turn his back upon the tedious performance. For the many favorable notices by the press of his previous works, the author returns thanks; to his unfavorable critics, he can only say, that as dramatic composition with him is but a pastime, and not an occupation, perfection should not be expected.
The opening of the book is shown; the full text loads in the reader.
Loading the full text…
The end
You’ve reached the end of The drawing-room stage : a series of original dramas, comedies, farces, and entertainments for amateur theatricals and school exhibitions.