The great activities of the story of American civil liberty are here treated in a kind of processional dumb show which amplifies the quotations placed in the mouths of the two Spokesmen, the Choir of speakers and the characters in the play. When the dumb show is not executed in procession, it devolves upon groups which act collectively as a single individual and, on certain occasions, speak in unison.
Comment upon the action is supplied by a few lines which have been written for the roles of the Chronicler and Freedom and for the Chorus of singers.
The play demands an almost continual musical accompaniment. This should be composed upon the foundation of period songs, particularly those which are indicated in the text. Also, the various speeches of the Spokesmen will be enhanced if the composer musically emphasizes their rhythms with some sort of accompaniment. In the opinion of the author, the score will be most effectively scored for brass and wind instruments. The chorus must be a male chorus. The play will suffer, always, for the introduction of any woman’s voice except as indicated in the text.
The action is continuous; its changes of locale and atmosphere being indicated only by shifting emphases in the lighting.
The acting presents no difficulty beyond that of securing actors with good voices who have troubled to learn how to speak the English language.
THE CHRONICLER. THE TWO SPOKESMEN. FREEDOM.
PARSON CLARK OF LEXINGTON. CAPTAIN JOHN PARKER OF THE LEXINGTON COMPANY. SERGEANT MUNROE OF THE LEXINGTON COMPANY. WILLIAM DIAMOND OF THE LEXINGTON COMPANY (drummer). JONATHAN HARRINGTON OF THE LEXINGTON COMPANY (fifer). MAJOR PITCAIRN. TWO BRITISH LIEUTENANTS. JOHN MUNROE OF THE LEXINGTON COMPANY. EBENEZER MUNROE OF THE LEXINGTON COMPANY.
GEORGE WASHINGTON. EDMUND PENDLETON. PATRICK HENRY. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
JOHN BROWN. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. GENERAL GRANT. GENERAL LEE.
THE CITIZENS OF LEXINGTON. (Men, women and children.) THE LEXINGTON COMPANY. (Men.) TWO REGIMENTS OF BRITISH INFANTRY. (Men.) THE CONTINENTAL ARMY. (Men.) THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. (Men, women and children.) THE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA. (Men and women.) THE PIONEERS. (Men, women and children.) THE SLAVES. (Men.) THE EXECUTIONERS OF JOHN BROWN. (Men.) THE ARMY OF THE UNION. (Men.) THE ARMY OF THE CONFEDERACY. (Men.) THE RAILROAD BUILDERS. (Men.) THE STEEL WORKERS. (Men.) THE COAL MINERS. (Men.) THE FARMERS. (Men.) THE BUILDERS. (Men.) THE FACTORY HANDS. (Women and children.) THE MEEK MEN. (Men.) WEALTH. (Men.) LABOR. (Men.) GOVERNMENT. (Men.) UNREST. (Men.) THE PAST. (Men.)