rtainment, there is
nothing which is so interesting and instructive as the tableau. The
person most fitted to take charge of a tableau-company is one who is
expert at drawing and painting: any one who can paint a fine picture
can produce a good tableau.

The individual who makes all of the necessary arrangements for a
series of tableaux is generally called the _stage manager_. His first
work is to select a programme of tableaux; and in this list there
should be a variety of designs, comprising the grave, the comic, and
the beautiful. A manuscript should be used in which to write the names
of the tableaux, directions for forming each, the names of the
performers, the parts which they personate, the styles of the
costumes, and the quantity and kind of scenery and furniture used in
each design.

The following diagram will illustrate the manner in which the
manuscript should be arranged:--

+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NAME OF TABLEAU. | NO. ____ |
--------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Directions for forming|Ladies.|Personation.|Gentlemen.|Personation.|
| costumes, &c. | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| |-------|------------|----------|------------|
| |Scenery, furniture, &c. |
| | |
| | |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

After the manuscript is completed, it will be necessary to select the
company and assign the parts. The number of persons required in a
first-class tableau-company is forty. It will be necessary to have
that number to produce large pictures; fifteen or twenty-five persons
will be sufficient for smaller representations. In forming the
company, the following persons should be selected: six young ladies,
of good form and features, varying in styles and sizes; six young
gentlemen, of good figure, and of various heights; two small misses;
two small lads; two gentlemen for stage assistants; one painter, one
joiner, one lady's wardrobe attendant,