The sun., 1883-12-16
As SEEN FROM THE FLIES.
An Elevated View Of the Dramn, with Some
OrLglmMl OhaervMtlnns.


"If you'll come up the ladder with me I'll
show you what II brd's-eye view OF Il plav is
like. said the boss nyman OF one of the lead
ing metropolitan theatres. AS he finished tho
words he sprang. with an agility that did credit
to the name Of his occupation. UP II perfectly
perpendicular stationary ladder. built against
the side wall Of the stage. The reporter fol-
lowed with less celebrity and considerable trepi-
dation till he reached Il square hole in the ily
gallery. Having climbed through this. which
strongly suggested the "lubbers holo" in tho
maintop of II ship. and stepping out upon tho
platform. the resemblance was heightened by
tho wilderness Of ropes depending from the
ceiling and twisted round clcats and bins
the front edge Of tho gallery.
Looks kinder confused ut first. don't it p
said tho llyman. But we know every one OF
those ropes. and can be almost sure of grab
bing tho right one with our eyes shut. Each Of
these is used in hosting or lowering a border.
or drop. or border light. or chandelier. or cell
ing, Look up nb9ye you. There's y pretty
saw closely crowded together and extending
from the prosceniuin arch to the buck II the
stns". clouds OF canvas and rows OF gas Jets not
Looks rather risky in case of fire starting p
he yentured 70 remark. >,
headway up here. i'm going to 90 out as quick
| as know how. OF course, We have occasional
bits of bla@es that the pubic knows . n2thinE m
| We pul it to one side and stamp it out. and we
! have fire eXtincuis hers and water buckets
heat durins a performnl7cn. THE temperatmre ten
then up there over the borders isn't nr short
! Of 1909. and ropes and canvas get ike so much
| finder. Electric light is going to be Il great
thing for stage use. worked this summer. in
border lights are Edison 5 incanieseent. There
is scarcely any heariron ON them. and A.: abso!ute!y
| natn iv nrt hnr ia M rc frn
rent gets too s'Eopg susibs r"g mets s and
| by and by everywhere. Rankin's new theatre
is 81 fixed and also tho Bijou IN Boston"
| There's tho curtain warning: it'li be up In
n minute, Now look over the edge. and see
what it's like to have people netting under your
S$ Sa$ i !! tisr heads & grew out Of The thsiP feet
This singular effect WAS certainly noticeable
tho edge OF the gallery. but rs, they s,rod,.. ont
upon the stage all manner of strange effects
gestures seemed strained and ridiculous.
Of yqn rna T s the of h
.'Ill bot You haven't: You think they're oval.
because you rarely havs Is chance Of LOOKING:
right right down ut them Just take a peep and see.
they with the narrow part in front! l can tnli
you it's a man OF very G s'ropG brain " Wh" iIns
what they're, ike: they nearly always wear
! hair because 1t isn't so easy to drnss and keep
in order ns II wig. They max" big mistake,
| though. Th. shape Of u woman ) hrhi can be
| very attractive. Do you remember Mrs. Bou-
| cicnult and how pretty she used Ia look with
her hair plainly banded and coiledf Excuse
me- u minute-cnnnEr OF sc"nc.'
| The Lyman and his ass slant stood in reaIi-
ness mt certain ropes and nt Il signal rom the
| promptrr some hoisteh the hort"r which had
represented the cei.luE OF II pnincn. Will" others
| lowered the perforated foliage uf urchcd and
int"racing trees. the changes be!n. made ST.
mul'ansously
-" suppose you go. worry familiar with most
| OF the standard plays. sad tnc reporter.
| Pretty well with the lrglt.. bat lhrso mod
ern society plays ara hard on us. Al the in
| see bit Of what is goin. on. besides. these
ceilings give us great deal of eNtrn work; cnrh
! having Ut lnnst three lines to II. som" ar. very
| elaborate. The one in tao Parisian iUunucc.'
| which mitres AZ n dihrr"ntnn-lc. anl is worked
| by II line rove or"r pnl,"y MP there in tho
| rigging loft. We get 10 bo pretty fnir judges
| OF acting. though. and som" Of tln boys can
| spout Shnkespnar" by III" yard. knew II iiy
man who ones threw III. line to u noJrd
| Ter WAS of som"wher" seeing about some
| fights. III hot tloSe words sounded Hike IN
| angels voice from the clouds to the fellow who
wan,ed ,nem is treated AL M tns H1y. % "iier- ,lt
pretty liberal to III" boyss; "sprciniiy II they play
| II good engagement. Ws don't always haNo
the same IDEAS nbout W.iat makes good acting
rs the critics have, Now II you were to ask
| any Old hymnn thro' the country whose UdUIrt
| he thought best. do you know what he'd sny"
| 'Boolh'sy'
"Risht you nre. but 10 Won know Why"
| g. Because IL is the best .'
No. because he gets through eight minutes
earlier than any OF the oiners."