The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-02
snams In the Theatre.
The INGENIOUS WORK OF TIE PROPERTY Man
peMARKApLe EFPECTs PRODUCED WITH
CHEAP AND COMMON MATERIALS.
CHI"I "3ND
Now York Tfibunp.l


The INGENIOUS WORK OF THE PROPERTY MAN
REMARKABLE EFFECTS PRODUCED WITH
CHEAP AND COMMON MATERIALS.
New York TribuneJ
Theatrical properties, so called, include
all things placed upon the stage except what
are painted a. part OF scene by tbe scene
painter, Urns, vases. howels, pictures,
pianos, carpets, rugs. furniture, ana all or
nameDts are properties" Besides these,
all articles usrd by the actors in the
performance Of the play, such as canes,
cigars. pistols, clubs, knives, pocket
books. money, and other things OF
similar nature are properties. The proper
ty.man OF a theatre has a responsible and
arduous position. Upon him depend many
OF The important points in play. The
check for $50, 900 that saves the impecunious
artist from an untimely grave; the secret
drawer aud hidden will, which, when re-
yealed, restore the wandering heir TO his
riehiful inheritance; the marriage bell that
hangs shove the heads OF the happy lovers
in the nth act; and the pitiless snow
through which the shiveriDg blind girl wan
ders singing Der mournful songs, all are
prepsie ed by the property.man. Sad is the
lot of that luckess wight who f0rgets TO
load the pistol with which the desperate
villain is slain. The property-man is pro-
yided by the stage manager with COM
Dle,e list Of the properties needed for each
scene, and it is his duty TO see that they are
prepared aud in their proper places before
The curtain rises.
In the earlier DAYS Of the drama ii was
customary for the property-man to make all
his own rropeities. From the simple bronze
urn TO the massive oakcn fireplace, every
thing was slowly and laboriOuslv wrought
out by this being OF ineXbaustible ingeDui-
ty. In the Sbakspearean drama the pro-
perty.man still has plenty OF this kind OF
work for the helmets, spears, shields, and
battle array Of the motley groups OF dumb
warriors are all The results OF his toll. In
the modern DRAMA however, it bGs been
found easier and more efi' GIVE to bor-
row properties than to make them. The
ebony easelS, the Turkish rugs, the
rare enerayings, the brlc'a-brac, and arr
objects that crowd the parlors OF the
modern Cr9sus on the stage are readily Dor
rowed from some enterprslDg dealer, who
lends them for the sake of the advertise
ment. One Of the leading theatres in this
city actually buys The elegant furniture dis
played on its stage, selling 1t after the run
of The DIay has ceased for perhaps 800 less
are many little things which the property
man is still obliged TO manufacture. ,Urns,
which can be used at any time, bronze fig
ures. floWer-pots, flowers. and rustic furni-
ture are usually made by. this industrious
worker. All OF the articles just mentioned,
eyceDt flowers and rustic furniture, are
made from old scraps Of wrapping.paper.
The maker obtains some common clay, weis
if. and. LAYING it on broad, smooth board,
models il in the shape he wishes. Around
this model he builds wooden box. He
then mixes some plaster OF Paris and water,
making the mixture pretty thick. aud stir
ring il rapidly TO prevent its hardening. 1t
IS Doured over the clay mould and allowed
half hour to dry. The mould Is then
separated from the plaster and an urn OF
the latter material is found completely
formed and ready for the paper. Heavy
paper. free from all glazing, is used. 1t is
first torn into small pieces and soaked
thoroughly in clean water. The mould Is
then carefully creased with sweet oil or
lard. and a wet coat OF paper is laid on,
care being taken to see that ii fills up all
the hooks and crannies OF the mould. -Four
additional coats of the paper are tlen put on
smoothly and evenly. Then come, Layer OF
muslin and glue. Three more coats or paper
| are added, and the article is allowed to dry
about twelve hours. When it is perfectly
fee from moisture, the inner coats OF paper
are drawn out, leaving the muslin and the
three ou side layers OF paper. Only half OF
vase or urn is moulded at a time. When
the two halves are ready, their edges are
neatly trimmed and sewn together with
strong Irvine. The twne is covered with
thin coat of paper, and the Urn is ready for
coloripg. Ii receives first q coat OF whiten-
ing, after which 1t is sand.papered. THIN
the final coat OF color Is put on, and what
ever ornaments are desired can be added.
In this way a capital imitation OF blue-and-
cold vase, bronze urn or figure, can be OBJ
tanned. The blue-and.gold vase is painted
with the distemper color used by scenic
artists, and gilded; bronze vase re-
ceiyes coat OF bronze powder,
such as can be bought in any
paint-store. Silver and gold gobIets are
also easily counterfeted in this manner,
though these things are sometimes turned
out OF wood. II takes four days 10 make
pair OF urns 10 this way, and requires great
care. II the mould is not properly creased
the urn will stick 10 1t and tear when an at
tempt Is made TO take 1t from the mould.
Articles made 10 this way are very light,
and can be kicked about, as they always
are, without breaking. Old oaken fire.
places made OF this material, and apparent
ly weighing 800 pounds, weigh in reality
about fifteen POUNDS. What Is called
" BANQUET set" consisting OF plates,
knives, forks, roast chicken, potatoes,
baskets OF fruit, and other things
needful for a feast. is sometimes made
of paper. Flowers are made OF tissue
noror Tho manor ie ctf In cifcuiar ppcps
and fastened to short sticks. These are
then set in wire frame. "a handsome
marriage bell can be produced In this way.
Rustic chairs are made from common
wooden chairs. Rope covered with paper
answers for. the twigs which twine around
the lack, arms. and legs. Vines are made
OF paper, rope, aud wire. Heavy ferns
and troI,icli plants are easily counteIfeited.
A sheet OF pssteboard Is cut 10 the shape OF
q leaf. A piece OF rattan is then split, and
the pssteboard inserted. The whole Is then
colored in a suitable manner. The weight
OF 4 e pasteboard leaf bends the rattan
stem, aud its swaying at the llgbtest touch
gives II a natural appearance.
A snow-storn Is all paper, and Is pro.
duciion which the property-man detests.
The snow consists OF small bits OF white
paper, which he must cut. These cuttings
are placed In the snow-box. This Is long
narrow box, The bottom OF which Is made
OF Stats. II Is suspended above the stage
by q rope at each end. BY pulling one rope
sec-saw motion is given to the box, and
the snow Sits through the bottom. A cloth
Is spread upon the stage, and the snow.
falling upon II, 10 carefully swept up with
en- economy that nature does not need,
and used again the next night, The