The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-10-24
4 NIGHT WITH BOUClCAULT.
A Rehearsal Of His New Play "RObert
Emmett. at Harper's THEATRE
How a Rehearsal is Conducted
1.-The C0mpany's Private
Cars.

1.-The Company's Private
Cars.
1t is perhaps generally known that the
renowned author-actor. Dion Boucicault,
was in the city yesterday and last evening.
He was booked to play The Shaugraun, "
the very best of his entirely original pro
auctions, but as stated in the ARGUS last
evening, the indications for a fair sized
house were so poor yesterday that
Mr.. Boucicault refused to appear.
As the company had to stay in the city
until II o'clock last evening to take the
train for Peoria, Mr.. Boucicault took ad-
vantage of the opportunity to rehearse
his new play, Robert Emmett" and by
invitation of Mr. E. j. Parker, the geue
raj manager of the company, an ARGUS
reporter was present and witnessed part
OF the rehearsal. The play has been writ
ten by Mr. Boucicault while on the
road The most of it was written
in his private car, The Shaugraun.
1t is an Irish comedy drama in four acts
and Mr. Boucicault assumes the title role,
1t deals with part of the life of the great
Robert Emmett, and the play like all of
Mr.. Boucicault's plays, abounds with
sparkling dialogue and effective scenes.
Robert Emmett" will soon be produced
for the first time in Chicago.
Mr. Boucicault is fine looking man of
G3 years. He has splendidly shaped head
and au intellectual cast of cOuntenauce.
He is the possessor of a strong musical
voice, which he has we'll under control
and he can change from the mirthful to
the mournful with ease, and vice versa.
A play seen behind the scenes is vastly
different to what it is seen from the aus
ditorium. The stage manager is busy
man at rehearsals, as, indeed, he is at each
performance. Mr. Gus Reynolds is the
stage manager of the Boucicault company
He is q veteran in the business and thor =
oughly understands it. He is very strict
and makes everybody get around in the
proper manner. Last night Mr.. Bouci'
cault conducted the rehearsal He is alsc
an eXacting manager and frequently signs
of a gathering storm were visible upon
his brow. On one occasion when one OF
the ladies repeated the word military
the governor, as the members of thu
company call him, scowled fiercely and
roared, don't say mil-a>ta-ry, say mll~i'
| tary," and the author actor snapped
the word out like a steel trap. The re
hearsal was conducted precisely as The
Tlay will be produced in Chicago. Each
actor and actress went through his or her
part with the strictcst attention to detail
The scenery was shifted and the curtain
rolled up and down the same as if an audi
ence was witnessing the performance Thai
is the way theatrical people do business
The reporter took look through the pri'
vate cars of the Baucicault company a:
they stood in the r. l. & P. yard las
night. The first car was the 'Shaugraun.
1t is finely fitted up car. In one end o
the car is an elegant apartment
which is the private room of Mis-
Nina Boucicault, who is rising younG
actress. She plays the part of "Moya'
in "Thc Shaugraun." Next comes thu
department Of Dion Boucicaul
and his son. D. G Boucicault
1t is fitted up very comfortably and father
and son enjoy themselves very mucl
while travelling through the country
Next comes the sitting room, which i
occupied by the entire company. Her
they sleep and take their meals. Every
thing is as comfortable as possible Thel
| at the end of the car is the kitchen anC
pantry, where couple of colored servant
attend to the culinary business. The mex
car contains the scenery and stage effects
and is also the sleeping room of the ser
wants. The appointments of the cars are
as complete as it is possible to make
them. The company comprises fourteen
people, and the two servants make six
teen, all who live in this house on wheels.
They left New York on August 18th and
have travelled in all 5000 miles up &c
date. 1t is much cheaper travelling their
way than stopping at hotels, and. more
convenient. The company play in PEG
ria this evening. Next week they are il
ST. Louis at Pope's theatre.