Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-01-20

! "huo itS source does not meet
the view OF the spectator. A usual feat.
nre OF stage moonlight scenes is water
because 1t affords an opportunity for
the introduction of the cripple"
"a charmingly natural stage eff
| rect. The main scene in MOONLIGHT
view is always painted on .sarop"-
that Is, scene made like the curtain
let down between the acts. The posi-
tlon OF the moon being determined. i'm
medlately under it, beginning at the
horizon, number of small. IRREGULAR
holes are cut in the drop. These ore
then covered on the back with muslin
ana painted over on the front to match
the rest OF the water. Behind these
hoies is placed an endless towel, about
eight feet IN length, running around two
cyllnaers, ono at the top and one ut the
bottom. The lower cylinder has a or nix
by which the towel is turned. Ia this
towel Is cut number of holes similar
to those in the drop. A strong GAS
burner Is placed between the Two sides
of the towel. When the machine is
turned the flashing Of the light from the
passing holes in the towel through the
stationary ones in the drop produce a
hne ripple. 1t is always better to turn
the towel SO that the holes pass upward,
as that helps to make the mimic wave
lets seem TO dance up toward the
SKY. Instead of a towel a large tin CYL
inder has been used, but ii is cumber-
some aud noisy. 1t is necessary to turn
this towel with great steadiness other
wise the ripples will go by fits and
starts, and entirely lose their natural APP
pearance. Stars are easily put into the
SKY. Each twink ng orb consists OF a
spangle hung upon pin bent into
double hook. The slightest motion of
the drop causes these stars to shake and
the flashing of the light upon them pro-
duces the twinkle.
One Of the mosG beautiful effects pro-
duced upon the stage is the change from
day to night, or from night to day. OF
these the former is the more striking.
and description of it will serve to ex-
plaln the principle of both. In order to
produce the proper effect, the back drop
is made nearly double the height of the
usual scenes. The upper half of it is
painted to represent IL sunset sky. and
the lower hall to represent moonlight.
II Is hung SO that the upper half alone
Is visible. The scenery OF the distance
IS then painted upon a separate piece,
which is profled;' that is, the irreg,l-
lar line of the horizon made by trees,
mountains or houses is sharply cut out
with circular saw. This piece is placed
Immediately in front OF the sky drop. A
Few feet further in front is hung what is
known as cut gauze drop. This has
sides and top of canvas painted as the
case requires, while the center is filled
with fins gauze which lends an aerial eff
feet to the distance. Red mediums "
are employed TO give a soft, sunset glow
to the scene. At the proper moment,
the back drop is very slowly and steadily
hauled up, while the red mediums are
slowly turned off and green ones turned
on. The moon is made in the night half
OF the sky-drop, and rises with it.
When 1t rises above the distant horizon,
the green mediums are turned on to
their full power, and the green calcium
light is brought into play. The effect
OF this change, when carefully managed,
Is always very beautiful, and is sure to
draw forth applause from an audience.
Moonrise, in scene where there is no
change from daylight to darkness. is of.
ten produced with muslin drop and
moonbox." The muslin drop IS paint
ed to Represent the sky, the clouds being
painted on strips of canvas eut in the
required shape and sewn on. The moon
is made with box on one side Of which
a circular hole is cut. Over this hole is
pasted q piece OF white muslin A
couple of wires serve to draw the moon
upward. OF course the white illuminat-
cd circle shows plainly through the mus
lin sky, but disappears when passing be-
hind the canvas clouds. BY having an
other piece of muslin painted red and
imperceptibly fading to white, placed at
the back of the drop i'll the moons path,
the orb OF night can be made TO appear
red at the horizon, and gradually change
to pale yellow as it sails slowly upward.
Floating clouds are easily initiated by
hanging IL front of the sky drop gauze
drop upon which are sewn muslin or
canvas clouds, and moving the whole
slowly.
An ocean of heaving waters is made in
this way: Each bounding wave is cut
out separately. The first row is set up
with distance of three or four feet be-
tween each billow; and the second row
is set so us to show in the openings left
by the first Small boys furnish the
motive power. The waves are rocked
back and forth, not from side to side;
and the effect is very good. The noise
of water rolling upon beach is well i'm
itated in 0 simple manner. A box of
light wood is lined with tin. BY putting
two or three ounces Of bird-shot into this
and causing it to roll around, the desired
sound is produced.
Fire scenes are sometimes dangerous
hut with proper care they may be rem
dered comparatively safe. Tint they
are not so hazardous as is generally
supposed by TIE uniGitiated beholder may
be learned from the following descrip-
ton One of the most familiar FIRE
scenes is that which ocglrs in the
"Streets of New York" in which
three-story house burns down, the roof
caving in, the shutters falling, and the
walls breaking with wonderful appear
ance Of realism. The house is painted
on three separate pieces, the top one OF
which is swung from the flies this con-
stitutes the roof. Upon the second IS
painted half the wall, and it is joined to
the bottom piece in an irregular zig-zag
line. The simple dropping IN succession
of these pieces to the stage produces the
falling OF roof and wall. The fire itself
is represented by chemical red fire and
powdered lycopodium used separately,
the former to give red glow and the
latter to represent flames. The shut
tiers. which are to fall, are fastened to
the scene With a preparation called
auick-match. This is made OF pow
der. alcohol and lamp wick. The win
dow frames and sas'les are made OF sheet
iron. They are covered with oakurl
soaked in alcohol or naphtha. These
sashes and frames are not fastened to the
canvas scene ut all, but are placed short
distance behind it upon platforms. The
quickest possible touch OF flame ignites
Che oakum, and, in a moment, the fire
rms around the sash and nothing is APP
parently left but the blackened and
charred wood. Steam Is used to repre-
sent the smoke that issues from the cram
MES IN the walls of the burning build
ing: ana an occasional crash, followed
by the ignition Of little powder to pro-
duce sudden puff OF smoke, gives the
spectator an idea of falling rafter. Be
hind the entire scene is placed q very
large endless towel upon which is paint
ed mass of flames. This is kept IN
constant upward motion: and, when
viewed through an opeil window In the
house. gives good idea of the supposed
raoinq furnace within. Add to these
things real fire-engine on the stage.
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