Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-17
| WASH|HGTON'S FEAST
Pantomime Acting Has an
Enormous Vogue.
WONDERFUL EXHIBITIONS
Popular Plays Afford Splendid Sug-
gestions.
SOME ORIGINAL CHARACTERS
Guests Not in Fancy Dress Can En-
ter Into the Spirit
Also.
'ME ORIGINAL CHARACTERS
Written for The Star.

Written fOr The star.
One of the most fascinating ways Of en-
Pertaining which presents Itself this year
for Washington's birthday Is the panto
mime party dance. Pantomimc produc-
lions are enjoying a tremendous vogue ct
the theaters this season, and they are full
of suggestions for developing unique cos
tunes, as we'll as of carrying out this very
novel method of gaining enjoyment
Instead of masquerade attire the guests
asked to come logged out either as
artists in pantomime show or IN get
up that will typify their favorite fad or
hobby. That is, each person will appear in
q fancy costume, but masks will be
placed by toys and tools of all sorts that
help to complete the character imperson-
ated. Then when this wordless amusement
ceases to afford pleasure, unessential trap
pings can be laid aside and games or dane
ing begun, while the flow of conversation
after the enforced silence VIII finish up
the evening in a merry round of 1ollity and
laughter.
Costumes most appropriate for this kind
of entertainment are those of Harlequin,
Clown and Coumbine, tho three we'll
known pantomimists with Pantaioon as
the aged jester. To successfully affect the
character of Harlequin man or BOY
should be thin and supple in every limb.
for this spangled spTite dances from one
corner or the room 10 anotESf anu soVS
through numberless contortions and GENT
like motions. His 1.-THE figure is attired
from head to foot in uSht-httng sun
covered every inch Of II by scale-like discs
of silver paper relieved on arms and chest
and legs by quaint designs In scales of
blue or pink paper, a wide rune OF mus
lin or tarlatan elcirclcs the neck and
pointed colonial cap Of silver paper rests
on his head.
The mission of Harlequin is to make
Whatever ne touches move at the tap Of his
black wand. With the aid of fish line
and hook al the end Of his wand the man
portraying the character could create
world of fun by sharing with deft hands
objects about the room or other characters
belongings All his movements, however
must beTquick and agile, and he must be
seeking out constantly the fair CoiuIhoihe.
Tarlatan Finery.
The latter pretty lady is dressed in in
Vulnerable short skirts of pink or blue tar
latan, with stockings and shoes to match.
A fun baby waist is made Of the same ma
telfal as the skirt and cut to show bare
neck and arms. Her hair is wound with a
wreath of leaves or flowers and she carries
tbe y-eapon of the couuette, a small flower
fan Columbine's duty is to dance about
the room with fairy lightness, fitting here
and there to exchange glances ana Smiles
and worthless comment with WhomeEeF
NAV attract her attention and fancy for
of flowers on her arm and dispense the
blossoms in her light fantastic Ioamings
from one place 10 another.
OF the three characters, Clown affords
most fun in his getUp. and the more of
these jolly fellows there are the greater
will be the evenings merrlmeht Inc con-
VentionaI costume for Clown consists OF
has ev trousers and blouse. with full sleeves
of light yellow cambria ornamented from
neck to ankle with crescents and stars and
discs Of green, blue, red and green glazed
paper pasted on with photographer elue;
Wide rufties OF the yellow cambrlc stand
ont around the neck. wrists and ankles,
while bright scarlet slippers and stockings
cover the feet. The face should be COM
pletely concealed beneath white paint
da llbed here and there with d2SheS OF RED
and a tight-fitting skull cap having bunches
of stiff hair sticking out at either SIDE ana
straight up in front would greatly increase
the cOmical appearance. Under each arm
is carried toy goose and a toy pig. \ i've
goose would, Of course cause muCh sport
or the wooden toys that can be dragged
around on wheels are still more ridiculous.
For Fat and Thin.
The pranks of Clown initiate as nearly as
possible the antics of circus funmakers.
and tumbllng harmless jokes
and tricks with other clowns help to effect
the character of these droi, nonsenslcal
fellows. For fat and lean alike pantomime
in this costume is easier than. In any other
But the genuine pantomimlc characters
are ONLY a few of many, and, in keeping
with the spirit of the day, SpeechleSs inn
of famous men and women OF
colonial times can be made to add a great
deal to the pleasure of the occasion.
Girls could join together and form
feminine Boston tea party, dressing in
Indian s1uaw costumes and carrying IN a
bag over one arm small box or tea. AN
with the hostess beforehand
IN have CUBS and boiling water in one or
yGpulQ hermit TOllcklng
to take refreshments beside
some mute, merryeyed squaw, without IN
the least spelling the appetite Tor a later
collation. Brown cambria dresses trimmed !
viii friuses and varegated hue give the
appearance of Indian costumlng, ana I'M
pr6vlsed or real moccasns Should conceal
dancing slippers ~, |
For a man the characterization of Paul |
Revere has possibilities of fun and action. |
In black knee breeches and long-talled coat |
of colonial times, the herald OF the reVoiu-
ton makes his appearance with q emo |
hohbv horse attached to the end Of stick, |
and an old-time lantern. The latter finds |
q signal tower at different intervals by !
the aid of a nearby chair or table, on some |
high hook at the corners or center OF the |
room.
Sro create pantomimic entertainment, |
both girls and men can make their |
particular fad q means OF Keeping the bail |
of pleasure rolling. Costuming In TINS IS
will serve, the purpose admirably, but each |
person must be equipped with some toy or /
aid to further the silent nonsense of dis |
gused partners
Room for Talent.
The camera fiend should carry at least a
portion Of his Photographic paraphernalia,
and there is a fund of comical tricks prac-
ticed by che cheap photographer that never
fail to cause laughter when they are imf-
tated In the same way the enthusiastic
fisherman has small rod, and spends all
spare moments catching wary fish from
a tin pail. which is slung over the arm
when not In use A toy gun is the hunts
mans tool of fun, and. by means of soft
paper balls, side-splitting mimfckers or
rosy-lipped butterflies become the object OF
his aim or game for his bag. according
to the nature of the wound.
For the, girl or man who has the auto
mobile craze, a child's playcart In the
shape of a motor car will be the means
of giving some congenial spirit trip in
the new machine" and II there are not
two or three breakdowns, punctured tires
and other attendant evils, 1t will be because
the owner has no sense of humor and less
ina gination. Similarly, the person fond of
boating can rig up boat-shaped frame of
Iaths, with long cambria sides, and a strong
piece of tape tackled at the center of the
frame. by which the skeleton boat is held