New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-09-11
sssUPERSv ON THE STAGE.

Comic Doinss Of These Humble Players.
Supernumeraries on the stage, ordinari-
ly called ''supers,' says Chambers Jour-
nal, receive small pay, but are not reck-
oned within the roll of actors. They
make up crowd. when crowd is want
ed in piece. and so on. Though viewed
as a kind Of nobodies, they cannot be
done without, and managers need TO take
care not to give them offence.
These humble players have been aptly
described as serfs Of the stage, for whom
there is no manpmission. Let them work
as hard as they will, play their parts as
well as they may, their merits meet scant
recognition either before or behind the
curtain. For the wages Of some three
pence an hour, they have to submit to be-
ing bullled and bad gered, and put to all
manner Of personal discomfort. Still,
with sense Of inferiority, the super con-
siders himself an actor. He treads but
the lowest rung; but his foot is on the
theatrical ladder. The climbers above
may superciliously ignore the connection;
but he feels that he, too, is an actor, and
sometimes asserts his fellowship-like the
poverty stricken fellow who publicly hail
ed David Ga:rick as his "dear colleague -
on the score that it was his growing that
made the ghost of buried Denmark start
like guilty thing upon a fearful sum-
mons; and the less obstrusive super, who,
when told of Macready's death, exclaim-
ed:
"Ah! another Of us gone"
1t is recorded that a French super,
playing an assistant footman in a popular
Oprea bouffe for the first time, fell down
in q fit, brought on by the excitement
consequent upon his having to create a
role.' Too much zeal is always incon-
convenient. At a performance not very
long since Of "Richara ILL.," the armies
contending at Bosworth were SO carried
away by professional ardor that the
mimic tray came very near the real
thing; and one gallant archer introduced
himself to the managers notice with an
arrow through his nose, so astonishing
that gentleman that he salved the wound
with half sovereign. The next evening
the casualties rose to such alarming pro-
portions tina: a like treatment would have
rell-nigh exhausted the treasury.
Considering how often the super
changes his nationality, one would ex-
pect him to be too thorough a cosmopoli-
tan to cherish any insular or continental
prejudices. They nevertheless have their
sympathies and antipathies.
''Shure, sir" said an Irishman who
had tor some nights died glorious
death fighting for Fatherland, ''it's
mighty unpleasant to have to be Ger
man; I'd rather play Frenchman."
He had to be- contented by receiving
the managers assurance that ii. he con-
tinued to work up his agony we'll, he
might be permitted to change his uni
form at the end of the month. Greater
success awaited stalwart navy, who,
after crossing the Danube several times
at Alexandra Park, declared he must
F'Chuck it up if he he could not be a
Turk. His desire was granted, and the
next afternoon he was pitching Russians
into the water with a will.
Somebody-we think Mr.. Dutton
Cook--tells good story of an uce6ssoiye
once attached to the Porte St. Martin
Theatre. M Fombonne had won man
agerial praise for the adroitness with
which he handed letters or cotfee-cups
upon salver, and his excellent manner
of announcing the names Of stage guests
and visitors Naturally enough, he
thought his services might be more
liperally rewarded, and made his thought
known
"Monsieur Fom bonne," said the man
ager, II acknowledge the justice of your
application. I admire and esteem you.
You are one of the most useful members
of my company. we'll know your worth
no one better"
Glowing with pleasure at this recog-
milton Of his merits, NJ. Fombonne, with
one of his best bows said:
II may venture than to hope"
''By all means, Monsieur Fombonne, y
interrupted the manager. slope sus-
tains us under all our Affections. Always
hope. For my part, hope is the only
thing left to me. Business is wretched.
The treasury is empty. cannot possibly
raise your salary. But you are an artist
and therefore above pecuniary consider
alton. | do not, I cannot offer you money
but can crafty laudable ambition.
Hitherto you have ranked only as an
accesso6re; from this time you are an &C.
tor. | give you the right of entering the
green room. You are permitted to call
Monsieur Lemaitre mon comrade,. to thee
and thou Mademoiselle Theodorine. I
am sure, Monsieur Fombonne, that you
will thoroughly appreciate the distinction
I have conferred upon you.''
The manager read his man rightly the
promoted accessoiae was more than salts
fed.
Not so well pleased was the English
SUPER who asked for rise. pleading that