Fashion (Anna Cora Mowatt)
Dedication[edit]
To WALTER WATTS, ESQ.,
ONE of the most liberal supporters of the Drama, whose desire to elevate and purify it--whose appreciation and patronage of its humblest as, well as highest talent--whose liberality and consideration to all with whom the profession connects him--and whose efforts to establish harmony amongst them, while he promotes the interest of all, are beyond eulogium, the Comedy of "FASHION" is respectfully dedicated, with the grateful acknowledgments of
ANNA CORA MOWATT.
Preface[edit]
THE Comedy of Fashion was intended as a good-natured satire upon some of the follies incident to a new country, where foreign dross sometimes passes for gold, while native gold is cast aside as dross; where the vanities rather than the virtues of other lands are too often imitated, and where the stamp of fashion gives currency even to the coinage of vice.
The reception with which the Comedy was favoured proves that the picture represented was not a highly exaggerated one.
It was first produced at the Park Theatre, New York, in March, 1845.
The splendid manner in which the play was put upon the stage, and the combined efforts of an extremely talented company, ensured it a long continued success. It was afterwards received with the same indulgence in all the principal cities of the United States, for which the authoress is doubtless indebted to the proverbial gallantry of Americans to a countrywoman.
A. C. M.
London, January, 1850.
Dramatis Personae[edit]
- Adam Trueman: a farmer from Catteraugus
- Count Jolimaitre: a fashionable European Importation
- Colonel Howard: an Officer in the U. S. Army.
- Mr. Tiffany: a New York merchant.
- T. Tennyson Twinkle: a modern poet
- Augustus Fogg: a drawing room appendage
- Snobson: a rare species of confidential clerk
- Zeke: a colored servant
- Mrs. Tiffany: a lady who imagines herself fashionable.
- Prudence: a maiden lady of a certain age.
- Millinette: a French lady's maid
- Gertrude: a governess
- Seraphina Tiffany: a Belle
- Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ball Room
Costumes[edit]
- Adam Trueman.--First Dress: A farmer's rough overcoat, coarse blue trousers, heavy boots, broad-brimmed hat, dark coloured neckerchief, stout walking stick, large bandanna tied loosely around his neck.--Second dress: Dark grey old-fashioned coat, black and yellow waistcoat, trousers as before.--Third dress: Black old-fashioned dress cost, black trousers, white vest, white cravat.
- Count Jolimaitre.--First dress: Dark frock coat, light blue trousers, patent leather boots, gay coloured vest and scarf, profusion of jewellery, light overcoat.--Second dress: Full evening dress; last scene, travelling cap and cloak.
- Mr. Tiffany.--First dress: Dark coat, vest, and trousers.--Second dress: Full evening dress.
- Mr. Twinkle.--First dress: Green frock coat, white vest and trousers, green and white scarf.--Second dress: Full evening dress.
- Mr. Fogg.--First dress: Entire black suit.--Second dress: Fall evening dress, same colour.
- Snobson. --First dress: Blue Albert coat with brass buttons, yellow vest, red and black cravat, broad plaid trousers.--Second dress: Evening dress.
- Col. Howard.--First dress: Blue undress frock coat and cap, white trousers.--Second dress: Full military uniform.
- Zeke.--Red and blue livery, cocked hat, &c.
- Mrs. Tiffany.--First dress: Extravagant modern dress.--Second dress: Hat, feathers, and mantle, with the above.-Third dress: Morning dress.-Fourth dress: Rich ball dress.
- Serafina.--First dress: Rich modern dress, lady's tarpaulin on one side of head.--Second dress: Morning dress.--Third dress: Handsome ball dress, profusion of ornaments and flowers.-Fourth dress: Bonnet and mantle.
- Gertrude.--First dress: White muslin.--Second dress: Ball dress, very simple.
- Millinette.--Ladies Maid's dress, very gay.
- Prudence.--Black satin, very narrow in the skirt, tight sleeves, white muslin apron, neckerchief of the same, folded over bosom, old-fashioned cap, high top and broad frill, and red ribbons.
Exits and entrances[edit]
R. means Right; L., Left; R. 1 E., Right First Entrance; 2 H., Second Entrance; D. F., Door in the Flat.
Relative positions[edit]
R. means Right; L., Left: C., Centre; R. C., Right of Centre: L. C., Left of Centre.
The reader is supposed to be on the Stage facing the Audience.