Final Performance, Or The Curtain Falls

Synopsis

THE STORY: Depicts a little-known and highly dramatic incident in the life of Edwin Booth.

The scene is the cellar of Booth's Theatre in the winter of 1873.

With great difficulty and expense, Mr. Booth has obtained possession of an old trunk containing many of the costumes and other paraphernalia, which had belonged to his infamous brother.

Late at night, with the help of the janitor and the stage manager, he opens the trunk and as each costume is extracted, it recalls a famous Shakespearean role in which the unworthy member of the Booth clan had appeared.

With great dramatic intensity Edwin recites the better known passages from these plays, and then orders the two men to take the costumes to the furnace room (which is off-stage) and burn them, so that they cannot be exhibited as mementos of a dastardly deed.

One sees the reflection of the flames as the costumes are consumed.

A thrilling one-act play with magnificent climax.

Especially recommended for contest purposes.

Themes

• American
• Drama