Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-15
SHAMS IN THE THEATER.

SHAMS IN THE THEATER.
! Ine ingenious Work of the Proper
~ Man-Remarkable Effects Pro-
dnced With Cheap and Common
IN. 7. Tribune
., theatrical properties, so-called, include all
| tnlngs placed upon the stage except what are
Ralh.eo as part OF scene by the scene painter
urns' vases, flowers, pictures, pianos, carpets,
ties Besides these all articles used by the
aclols ID the performance of the play, such as
canes canes, cigars, pistols, clubs, knives. POCKET
nature are properties. The property man of
taeater mas a responsible and arduous
posloi9n; pom him depend many Of. the
| Important points In play. The check for
$4,000 That saves the impecunious artist from
an untlmely grave; the secret drawer and
hioden VIII, Which, when revealed restore The
Wandering heir to his rightful Inheritance; the
| marriage bell that hangs above the heads OF
| the happy lovers In the fifth act and the pitt
less snow through which the shiyering blind
| girl "anoerS singing her mournrul songs-alt
| are prepared by the property man. Sad is The
| lot OF that luckless wight who forgets to load
the pistol with which the desperate villain is
SIAN: me property man is provided by the
| stage manager with complete list Of the prop.
critics needed for each scene. and 1t Is his duty
to see that they are prepared and in their
| proper places before the curtain rises.
IN the earlier days OF the drama 1t was Gus
tomary for the property man to make ali his
own olerties. From the simple bronze urn
| to the massive oaken Fireplace, everything was
| Slowly and laboriously wrought out by this
| oelng OF ineXhaustible ingenuity. In the
Shakespearean drama the property man still
| spears, Shields, and battle array or the molIay
groups OF dumb warriors are ali the results OF
ms toll Ia the modern drama. however it has
been found easier and more effective TO borrow
properties than to make them. The ebony
easels. the Turkish rugs, the rare engraring3
me Inc br1c a, brac and art objects that crowd
! entefprislDg, dealer. who lends them for
tne sake OF me advertisement. One OF the lead
Ing theaters In this City actually buys the ele-
CANT furniture displayed on its stage. selling il
AFTER the run OF the play has ceased for perhaps
slOo less than The original cost Nevertheless
there are many little things which the property
man Is still obliged to manufacture. Grns
which can be used at any time bronze figures.
hoWef-poUS. flowers. and rustic furniture ara
usually made by this Industrious worker. All
OF the articles just mentioned, except flowers
and rustic furniture are made from old scraps
OF wrapping paper: The maker obtains some
common clay, vets It, and laying It on broad,
smooth board, models 1t In the shape he wishes.
AroGRd this model he builds a wooden box He
then mixes some plaster OF Paris and water
making the mixture pretty thick, and stirring
Is poured over. the clay mould, and al
lowed half hour to dry. The mould IS
Ihen separated from the plaster and an urn OF
the latter material is found completely formed
from all glazing, is used II is first torn into
small pieces and soaked thoroughly In clean
water. The mould Is then carefully creased
with sweet oil or LARD, ana a wet coat of paper
is laid on, care being taken to see that it nils
up all the hooks and crannies OF the mould.
Four additional coats OF the paper are then put
on smoothly and evenly. Then comes layer
Of muslin and glue. Three more coats OF paper
are read ADDED; and the article IS allowed to dry
from moisture. the inner coats of paper are
drawn out, leaving the muslin and the three
outside layers OF paper Only half OF a vase or
urn Is moulded at time. When the two halves
are ready, their edges are neatly trimmed and
sewn together with strong Irvine. The Irvine is
covered with thin coat OF paper and the urn
whitening. after which it is sand-papered.
Then the final coat OF color is put On, and what
ever ornaments are desired can be added.
In this way capital imitation OF a blue and
gold vase bronze urn or figure can be obtained.
The blue and gold vase is painted with the dis
temper color used by scenic artists AID gilded;
! such as can be bought in any paint store.
Silver and gold goblets are also easily counter
fe1ted In this manner, though these things are
sometimes turned out OF wood. 1t takes four
requires great care. Ii the mould is lot prop
erly CREASED, the urn Will stick to 1t and tear
mould. Articles made In this way are very
light, and can be kicked about, as they always
are. without breaking. Old oaken hre-places
| made OF this material ard apparently
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
paper. The paper Is cut IN circular pieces 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 COW
cred with paper answers for the tWigS which
Irvine around the back, arms and legs. Vines
are made Of paper, rope and wire. Heavy ferns
and tropical plants are easily counterfeited A
sheet OF pasteboard is cut In the shape Of the
pasteboard inserted. The whole Is then cOlored
In suitable manner. The weight of the paste
Dosfd ieaf bends the rattan stem, and its sway.
pearance.
- SHOWS torn is all paper. and is produc-
ZION which the property man detests. The snow
must cat. These cuttings are placed I'm the
snOw-bOX. This is a long, narrow box, the bot
tom OF which is made OF Stats. 1t is suspended
ing one rope see saw motion is given to the
box. and the snow Sits through the bottom. A
cloth is spread upon the stage, and the snow,
economy that nature does not need. and used
again the next night. The silver MOON that
looks so calmly upon the agonies OF the players,
is hollow sham. 1t is simply cone suspended
by wires with the base toward the audience.
This base Is covered with pale green silk,
and a candle inside supplies the mild
.adience that tn. e1 9en the eye The
| "L'Assommoir," is made OF rattan; the limbs
| are jointed, and the dummy is dressed In o!d
| clothes. His face is made OF the inevitable
paper. Stage money, as many know, is counter
| felt beyond all doubt. The coin Is usually made
| of tin. The paper money sometimes consists of
old counterfeits. taken In at the box Office, and
| sometimes of the advertising greenbacks that
| are circulated In the streets. The property man
| also makes the cOlored fires which illuminate
| the last acts Of the spectacular plays, and which
I IN ira cfnrnn
| Red fire. which is most used consists OF stronchi
| shellac and potash. The flames which lick the
sides OF burning dwellings, are OF DO sdered
| lycopodium. This Is placed In an instrument
| Known as flash TORCH" which has a pepper
! box top and lamp over It. When the torch Is
| swung, the powder strts through into tue lamp
| flame and blazes up ia long tongues of flames
| The most effective lightning Is made or magne-
/ SUM. A small pinch is placed on the blade oil a
| knife and ignited. 1t produces quick oiiadihg
glare that Is Sefy realistic. IL is not USED pro-
| fusely, as lie costs $40 per ounce.
| TIE ..CHURCd-DEBT RAISER" EDWARD KIM
| RAIL, was with the Union Presbyterian church