New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-29
SHINe ~ THE THElTRE.

AND COMMON MATERIALS
Theatrical properties. sO-called. include all
things placed upon the stage except what are
painted as part of scene by the scene-painter.
Crns vases flowers, pictures. pianos carpets rugs,
furniture. and all ornaments are properties Be
sides these all articles used by the actors i'll the per
Torrance OF the play, such as canes cigars, pistols,
clubs, knives. pocket books, money. and other
things of similar nature are properties The prop
erty man OF theatre has responsible and
arducus position. Upon him depend many OF the
important points in play. The check for $780, 900
that saves the mpecuulous artist from an untimcly
grave: the secret drawer and hidden WILL which,
whom revealed, restore the wandering heir to his
rlchtful inheritance; the marriage bell that hangs
above the heads of the happy lovers the iiith
act, and the ptIlcsS snow through which The shIv-
cnne blind er wandcrs singing her rouIniul
songs all prepared by the property man. sad Is
the lot of that lucklcss wight who iorgcts to load
the pistol with which the desperate villain IS slain
The property man is provided by the stage mana
ger with a complete list of the properties needed
for each scene and it is his duty to see that they
are prepared and in their proper places before the
curtain Uses.
In the earlier days OF the drama it was customary
for the property TO make a his own properties.
From the simple bronze urn to the massive oakcn
fire place. everything was slowly and laborously
wrought out 10y this beng Of mcXhaustible in
genuitv. In the Shakespearean drama the properly
man still has plenty of this kind OF work Tor The
helmets spears, shields, and battle array OF the
motley groups of dumb warriors are all the results
OF his toll. la the modern drama, however, it has
been found easier and more elective to borrow prop
critics than to make them The ebony cascls, the
Turkish rugs the rare engTavugs the brc-a-brac
and art objects that crowd the parlors OF the
modern CIuSus on the stage readily borrowed
from some enterpTisng dealer, who lcn0s Them for
the sake of the advertisement. One of the leading
theatres in this city actually buys the elegant lnr
niture displayed on ITS stage selling il alter the run
of the play has ceased for perhaps Hloo less than
the original cost. Nevertheless there are many
little things which the property man IS still obliged
to manufacture. lrns. which can be used al any
time bronze figures, howcT-pots flowers, and rustic
furniture are usually made by this industrious
worker. All of the articles just mentioned, except
flowers AMI rustic furniture are made from Ole
scraps OF wrapping paper. The maker obtains some
common clay. vets it. and, laying 1t on broad,
smooth board models II III the shape he wishes.
Around this model he builds wooden box. lie
then mixes some plaster OF Paris and water. making
the mixture pretty thick and stirring 1t RAPIDLY TO
prevent its hardening. 1t Is poured over the clay
mould, and allowed half hour 10 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
:
wet coat of paper Is laid on, care beng taken to
see that il fills up all the hooks ana CraunIes OF the
mould. -Four additional coats of the paper are
then put smoothly and evenly. Then comes
LAYER of muslin and glue. Three coats of
paper are added. and the article is allowed 10 dry
abOut twelve hOurs. When ii Is perfectly Tree from
moisture the inner coats OF paper are drawn out,
lea cling the muslin and the three outside layers of
paper. Only half OF "A vase or urn IS moulded al a
time. Whcn the two halves are ready. their edges
neatly trimmed and sewn together with strong
Irvine. The Irvine is covered with thin coat OF
paper, and the urn is ready for colorng. II re-
celVes first coat of whitening after which it ~
sand-papered. Then the final coat of color is put on
and whatever ornaments are desired can be added.
In this way capital imitation of blue and gold vase
a bronze figure can be obtained Ihc blue ana
gold vase painted with the dlstenpcr color used bv
scenic Artists. and gllCed; "A bronze vase receives
coat of bronze powder such As can be bought III any
paint store. silver and gold goblets are also easily
III this manner, th0ueh these things
are sometimes turned out of wood 1t takes four
days to make pair OF urns IN tins way ard re-
quires great If the mould Is not properly
creased, the urn will stick to II and tear when an
attempt is nalo to take 1t from the 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 and apparently weighing 800 pounds,
weigh in reality abont fifteen pounds. What IS
called banquet SET" consisting of plates. knives,
forks roast chicken. potatoes baskets OF rult and
other things neodful for feast, is sometimes made
Of paper. Flowers are made OF tissue paper. The
paper is cnt III circular pieces and fastened 20 short
sticks These are then set III wire frame. a
handsome marriage bell can be produced III this
way. Rustic chairs are made from common
wooden chairs. Rope covered with paper answers
for the twIgs which twIne around the back, arms,
md legs Vines are made OF paper rope, ami wire.
Heavy ferns and tropical plants are easily cOun-
erfeitcd. sheet OF pastebO3rd IS cut IN the
hapc of the leaf. piece of rattan is then split
md the pasteboard inserted. The whole is then
0lOrcd III a suitable manner Inc weight OF tie |
)astebOard leaf bends the rattan It III, and its |
waying at the l!ghtest touch gives 1t natural ap-
JcaTance.
;e md -
which the property man dctests The snow consists
If small bits of white paper which he must cut. |
These cuttings are placed III the Snow-DoX. his IS
long, narrow box the bottom oil winch is made OF
lats. IL is suspended above the stage by rope at |
ach end. By pulling one rope sce-saw motion |
given to the box, and the snow sits through the
,OttOm. a cloth IS spread upon the stage and |
he snow, falling upon II, Is carefully swept mp |
With an economy that nature does not need and |
Used again the next night The silver moon that |
OOks calmly upon the agOnl6S OF the players, -
hollow sham. II is simply a cone suspended by
wires with the base toward the audience This
'ase is covered with pale green silk aud a candle
inside supplies the mild radiance that cnchants the
We. The fellow VINO falls from the sraliOlding
u "LAssOmmoir," Is made of rattan; the limbs
re jointcd. and the dummy Is dressed III Old
lOthes. His face is made of the inevitable paper.
tage money, as many know, IS counterfeit beyond
81 doubt. The coin is usually made OF TN. The
apeI money sometimes consists OF old counter !
( tire advertising greenbarks chat are circulated
. the streets. The property man also makes
t the spectacular plays and which invariably
ppear with fairy transformations Red fire.
ihich is most us.l consists OF strOnchi, shellac.
nj potash The flames which lick the sides Of
urniug dwellings are of powdered lycopcdum.
ms Is placed IN an instrument known Is a " flash
lrch.' which has a peppcr-bOY top and lamp
yer II. When the torch Is swung, the powder sits
trough into the lamp flame and biazes up in long
,ngues of flame. The most effective lightning is
Iade of magnesium. a small pinch is placed on
ie blade OF a knife and iguItcd. IL produces n
liok, binding glaze that is very realistic. 1t is
Dt used prOiuscly, AS IL costs $50 per ounce.