Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-05-20

by Dennecker. We were told II was rot shown
TO visitors ut this time, and even the usually all
powerful ''pourboire" would not melt the obdu-
rate hunkey's heart
At 5.35 we are to take the train for Munich or
Munchcn as 1t Is called here. DELAWARE.
Behind the Scenes.
HOW THEATERs ARE MANAGED IN LONDON
SALARIES, ETC.
A writer in the London Daily Ne,os gives
some interesting details of theatrical man.
agement in London.
The proprietor of theater
gets good percentage on the outlay of his
capital, so long as his rent is paid. Some
times, however, it happens that this is not
the case, or that his theater remains for
many months without ali occuper. Tenants
are indeed always to be found. but tenants
able to give substantial security for their
rent are not quite so plentiful.
The lessee is usually his ownmanager
His profits may be large or small. His bust
ness is essentially speculative one. In u
large, ,first-class West End theater the night
ly expenses average about E70 or $50; and
the receipts vary from $50 to f30o, accord
ing to the success of the entertainments. As
rule, the receipts arc below the expenses |;
the loss is made up by some lucky hit, when
they are largely In excess. Christmas is the
best theatrical season in the year, summer is
the worst except when it is wet. In winter,
however, every wet night costs the manager
about f20. Tne stalls are seldom full, ex-
cept between February and May. During
the season fashionable people usually go to
opera or to partes-as their object is rather
to be seen than to see during the winter
M hu hn las IL,
to the stalls in theaters. Although the dress
circle is cheaper and more comfortable than
the stalls, it is the portion of theatre gen.
orally the least full
The weekly expenses of these lessees are
made up in the following manner:-
RENT.
This item, with taxes and insurance,
amounts to about f70 week.
ADVERTISING, POSTING AND BILLING.
Some time ago the managers of the prin-
cipal theaters met together in order to con-
cert measures to diminish the lavish outlay
in advertising end posting that has become
the custom. They were, however, unable
to agree upon common code of rules.
Newspaper advertising costs about f40
weekly. and posting a rather larger sum.
Gould managers agree not to put above one
advertisement in each newspaper, and were
they to take stations where bills from each
theater might be exhibited, they would all of
them be gamers, and the general public
would not be losers.
THE WARDROBE.
AT the head OF this department is master
tailor and a mistress of the wardrobe. The
silks and satins used on the stage are usually
bought wholesale. The dresses for large
burlesque or a pantomime cost many hun
dred pounds. Actresses are obliged to find
their own bonnets, boots and gloves. Actors
in plays of modern life find their own
dresses.
THE SCENERY, ETC.
The principal scene painter of theater is
usually an artist OF eminence in his profess
sion he has several assistants under him.
II is seldom that less than $500 is spent on
colors and canvass in the course of the year.
Scenes, when they are not likely to be used
again, are painted out but as in each sepa
rate piece the position of all the doors and
windows are different, it is seldom that
"clothes' can be used q second time. In
every theater, however, there is large
quantity OF stock scenery, consisting of
forests, interiors, gardens, etc, which does
duty in farces.
The master carpenter is charged with the
preparation Of all the woodwork used in the
frames of the scenery, and in the sels, which
nowadays are frequently almost built up
on stage. The scene -shilters are under his
orders, and as scenes have to be shifted
with almost lightning speed, their number is
legion.
The property man makes or provides all
the properties that are required in piece.
This includes everything-from furniture to
theatrical suppers.
LIGHTING.
The gas bill amount to about $50 week.
Few dramas, and scarcely any burlesques,
are without moonlight effects, which are pro-
duced by lime light. At Christmas moon
generally costs manager at least f20 q
week.
THE ORCHESTRA.
The band is usually contracted for with
the leader. 1t costs about f30 week
THE STAGE.
Everything connected with bringing out
piece is under the control of the stage man
ager. In first class theaier the company
consists Of at least the following artists
One leading man, one light comedian, two
old men, three walking gentlemen, two
character actors, two low comedians, one
leading lady, one old woman, one young
leading lady, one singing chambermaid, one
broad chambermaid, three walking ladies,
utility men, male and female supernumera-
ries. Salaries of stock actors and actresses
vary from El2 to f2. They are by no means
easy people to manage They live in world
apart, and their ideas of their own merits
are frequently at variance with those of the
stage manager. No part is loo good for any
of them, but few parts are good enough.
Those who are 'scast" in bad parts in play
usually announce their intention TO leave
rather than play them, but on reflection they
think better of their decision. No one,
however, will ever play part hairs breadth
out of his own particular line. If a first
walking gentleman were asked to play a
third walking gentleman's part, he would he
as indignant as an Attorney General were
he called upon to defend pickpocket in a
police court.
These bright particular luminares some
times receive as high as sixty pounds week,
Their great object is to play piece with
which they may aflerward make the tour of
the province; they therefore, as much as
possible, eschew those which require elabo-
rate and expensive scenery. As II rule, theis
engagements are moer profitable to them
selves than to the managers who pay them.
Their lofty estimate of their talents slauds in
the way of their financial success No play
suits them unless lis whole interest is con-
centrated on themselves, and the public will
not put up with that what is called ZONE
actor pieces"
THE BALLET.
Ballet girls are seldom required in a thea
ter except when burlesques or panlomimes
are played. They receive about twcaty five
shillings week. 1t is an error TO suppose
that, as rule, they are ''fast." On the con-
trary they are usuallyithe daughters or nieces
of actors, and they work honestly for
small pttance.
Besides the persons already enumerated
there are, on the working staff of theater,
dressers, gas-men, firemen, chcck-takers,
cleaners, one or two messengers, a hall por-
ter, prompter, call-boy altogether about
one hundred persons find permanent en-
ployment
Some one in Jacksonville, Florida, stole
the recently laid corner stone Of new
Baptist church in order to despeil it of. the