Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-29
REHrNp THE SCENES.
What a Reporter Saw OF the Mysteries
of the stage-A View from the side
Wings at the Theatre.

What a Reporter Saw of the mysteries
of the stage-A View from the Side
Wings at the Theatre.
Things look different here from what
they do in 'front.'" said Manager Mack Of
ssThe Silver King to a MORNING NEWS
reporter. as he stood behind the scenes at
the Theatre last night. "Just step this
way and take look at the audience, and
then I'll show you how the play is
worked. Put yourself under my direc-
ton at present, and as soon as
the curtain goes up I'll turn
you over to Mr.. Vincent, the stage mana
ger. who will show you all there is TO be
seem"
The reporter promised obedience to all
commands. 'sThis way" continued Mr..
Mack. rushing Off and the scribe was
squeezing among E'fiats' and scenes try
ing to get across the stage and receiving
introductions to the members OF the COM
pany.
ssTbe NEWS reporter, Mr.. Raymond"
added the manager, and with pleasant
word and hasty excuse, the master ma
chinist arried OFF to another part OF
the stage among every conceivable
niece OF furniture-mats. rugs, tables,
door steps, houses built ready TO be
wheeled forward as if by magic TO the
front of the stage, tall trees and gardens,
and walks and groves and everything
that comprises the seventeen scenes of
the plav. The curtain was about to be
rung up and all was activity. Scene
shifters were hurrying about sliding the
painted canvas iutO the right grooves, and
adjusting gas pipes and ropes and wires by
which they We're to be moved into position.
Actors and actresses were hurrying III and
out of the dressing rooms making the
necessary preparations Tor the garden
scene, Everything was finally in readl-
ness. ssCIear the stage" ordered the man.
ager, in an undertOne, and in twink
ling every man had jumped to the wings
and up went the curtain on the first scene.
While this was being enacted the car
penters were busy and working ike
beavers. Numbers of men were putting
up a house. and the doors, windows and
furniture were being rapidly got into
position. All this was done quietly so as
not to interfere with the progress OF the
play. The report was whisked about
from wing to wing and across the stage,
"Here he is" said Mr.. Mack, '.just
the man we were looking Tor, Mr..
Vincent" and the stage manager hurried
past. looking like a yeritable tramp, with
a rig like ventilated scareerow, with
nose dyed with all the. colors of
the rainbow nd a smashed beaver
TANNED on the back of his
head. ''All right. Step right here"
said the busiest man on the stage, and the
reporter was placed in quiet
corner where the movement OF the
great melOdrama could be watched. Miss
BIithe soon appeared dressed ready for the
front, and the interest of the play was alb
sorbed in a pleasant chat with the charm
ing representative of Nellie Denver
ssYou will excuse me: there's my cue,"
said Miss Blithe as she stepped from the
wings to the side of ''Wilfred Denver"
with the words, SIS not wife's place by
her husbands side!
Mr. Mack was again at the reporters
elbow and claimed his attention. Mean
while the scene changed; man was
murdered, and the murderer jumped from
the window of the room where his victim
lay and walked leisurely across the stage
behind the canvas walls. The elegant
home of Wilfred Denver changed to Lon
don railway station; as if by magic the
scenes revOlve, and a country lane was
on. with Mr.. Bangs, around whom the IN
terest of the play centers, seated on log
by the wayside, talking to the audience
of his troubles.
While the play was going on the re-
porter was introduced to the various
members of the company. In every day
life Miss Blithe" is the wife of 'Jaikes,"
the faithful old servant of the play, who
is Mr.. J. F. Brien. Mr.. Bangs, who has
many friends in Savannah, chatted few
minutes with the scribe. EYES," said he to
an interrOgatOry. "The role of 'Wilfred
Denver is a difficult one; but like it.
1t is more difficult than most people inn
agine. There is so much of the emotional
at times that | am expected to exert all
my power. but should | do so there would
be great danger of the ridiculous. 1t re-
quires great care to draw the line at the
proper place. A little over acting of the part
and the audience would laugh instead of
cry. In some respects i consider this one
of the most wonderful plays on the stage.
You know its long run in New York
saved Wallack from financial embarrass-
ment. There are three companies on the
road, and all are doing good business. 1t
is certainly one Of the most profitable
PLAYS of the season." After a chat
with various other members OF the
company Mr.. Mack again interposed, Il
want YOU to see the stage from the 'front.'"
and the rest of the play was witnessed
from reserved seat in the dress circle.
The handsome scenery is a strong feature
of the ''Silyer King" performance.
The perfection with which this is
worked is due to Mr.. Harry Raymond, the
master machinist, and Mr.. James Vim
cent, the stage manager. Mr.. Raymond
has built and remodeled some of the finest
stages in the country. Wallack's
and the Grand Opera Houses
in New York bear evidences
of his skill He is a brother-in-law of
Theodore Moss, manager OF Wallack's
Theatre. Mr.. Vincent has placed on the
stage some of the most successful spec
tacular plays that have ever been pre-
scented in New York.
The performance throughout was close
" watched by the large audience, which
filled nearly every seat in the house.
Yesterday a request was sent to Mr..
Bangs that he deliver the Grafton of Mark
Antony over the body of Julius Caesar
in the entire act. Owing to the arduous
task incumbent upon him in the play, Mr..
Bangs gave a personal apology, stating
that it would be impossible for him to
comply with the request.