The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-06
IRVING AT R~EHEAEsAE.
The Care and Attention He Gives to the De-
tails of His Profession.
Na,r Vc-n tI.r.tJ

UaTI HstIIG, CEIU III gTdl dEW DIIck- WdVyt DIaGh
locks fell back from aclean cutand grave profile.
A pair OF dark eyes, set deeply under heavy,
oYerhanging eyebrows. watched the mgHmuTiHg
orchestra. 1t WAS Irving. In one hand he car
ried a cane with a gold band around it. and the
other was thrust jauntly in his side pocket La
dies and gentlemen walked about in the wings,
and a few were grouped on the stage watching
the second scene of Tine Lyons, Mail" Carpen-
ters could be seen hammering, pulling, pushing
and lifting all sorts Of odd looking things. In
the air swung a gondela, and resting in the stern
of it was a trunk labelled Quebec as if n DOT
ton of Lord Wolseley's Canadian contingent had
deserted and sold their boat. Against the rear
w4li vested the black bridge over which the
broken-hearted Shylock retained to his desolate
home, and beside it was a fragment of the moon
lit garden where tho fair Portia tantalized Sig
nor BaSSanio and made him wish That he hadn't
A simple roadside inn stood on the lefB OF the
stage with open windows and a candle burning
upon a table within.
son, Mr.. Ball. said Mr.. Irving to the leader
of the orchestra, '.you shoald not give US that
mere tremulous effect. Let one. of the violins
play the air softly, but distinctly. Thank you,
that is much better
just then J~oiiquet, the iunkeeper's boy, tripped
en-, delivering his lines as he came in q strong,
clear voice.
'Soft. soft" said Mr.. Irving. use a lighter
tone. You look young, my boy, but your voice
belies YOU"
The young actor smiled and repeated the lines
ir a boyish way, that brought a smile to the face
VI lie Cultl InoTe WIS no sign OF lfTlUdbIOu VI
resentment on JoIiquet's face, but an expression
OF gratitude. for the timely hint 1t is, one of
the peculiaritieS of DIR. Irving's management
that the actors do not seem to regard his in
strpetioH as am infrin cement of their rights or
an dispersion upon their professional reputation.
Joliquet ran into the cottage, and when he was
offered a five franc piece for a bottle of wine he
jumped two steps of the stairs at a time In his
joy.
You're not glad enough" was the Quiet crit
cism of Mr.. Irving. Jump three steps" And
~Joliquet came flying down from the door with a
radiant face, clearing the three steps and land
ing on the stage with an artistic bang.
Now, walk on Your toes and screw up your
face when l wiring your ear" continued the great
manager, as he twisted the actors ear in a mat
ter of-fact way, and looked calmly down to see
that the proper expression OF pain was visible.
you look honest" recited Joliquet.
"Yeu loo-o-o-k honest, =" corrected Mr.. irving.
Remember that you have had your doubts
about It, and you haven't yet made up your
mind. Put special emphasis on look"
Here n pair of horses pranced on the stage
with a stage-eoaeh behind them. 1t was the
Lyons mail AS the guard leaped from his seat
and started to drink imaginary brandy from a
bottle Mr.. irving picked up a pistol and fired at
him. The guard shuddered, and then, as he was
stabbed by another ruHian, fell upon the stage
and proceeded to die. Mr.. Irving smiled.
THAT won't do" he said. when l FIRE you
must act SO that the audience will know that my
bullet has hit you. Throw your arms above your
hedu ana move UI6 fingers clutcn1nSlEt as II you
were ia q death agony, thus
The managers arms reached wildly upward,
and an expression OF intense agony came into
his countenance- us he turned around and fell on
one knee.
The guard thanked his chief for the illustra-
ton, and went. through the convulsive move
ment to the satisfaction Of himself and everyone
else.
There, there said Mr.. Irving, as his keen
eyes watched one Of the scenepainters. mot
puita ca mTpI p0i0r Rr the Ua Mr. Vnvadav
Ito his, stage manaeerE let the south side of the
inn be set a little more obliquely, so that the
people on the right side of the theater can see
the action at the door. 1t is the Ringing point
in the play"
Just then a messenger brought two letters TO
the speaker, who opened them, read their con
tents and whispered answers to the messenger.
Then he strobe to and fro, whispering q portion
Of his own lines and giving cues to the other ac-
tors in a distinct tone, accompanied by gestures
suggestive of what followed. Mr.. Irving never
rehearses his own part His glances took in ev-
erything. 1t a seene-prop was not steady he
was the 6rstt to detect it and movements which
would not consist with rational ideas in real life
were picked out and corrected on the spot. AS
he walked from one room of theinn to the other,
with the burning candle in his hand, he turned
back suddenly.
SOU with the side light" he exclaimed quick
ly. How can a room be lighted ON a darknight
when the source of light is taken from it2 The
instant That the candle passes the partition the
room should be dark, and it should be as quickly
filled with light when | return. There, that's
very we'll done, thank YOU"
More letters were brought to Mr.. Irving; the
gas man. the scene painter and the property
man hurried in and out for advice and informa-
ton. Scenes were dragged around with a great
deal of noise, the ladies whispered their lines,
and dozens, of ropes were running over pulleys
overhead The leader Of the orchestra and his
men filed the air with merry music. 1t was Il
picture of mighty confusion. In the midst of 1t
stood the actor and manager, guiding and shan
ing all into the story of the play.
That heavy, dark furniture will never do in
q l0rid parlor scene like this Let our furniture
have something OF the wall tints in it"
The. rehearsal proceeded smoothly for a while,
to thu point where Jeliquet denounees Lesurques
as the murderer of the guard.
You must all utter an expression of surprise
here, and helpsit by sudden gestures" said Mr..
Irving to his company. The last time l was ae-
oused of being q murderer you looked so indiffer-
emit and disinterested that Que would think it a
commonplace thing far a man OF good reputation
to be recognized as an assassin. Now give the
expression with unity and force. Ali Very
good; thank YOU"
In the last act Julie put her arms around Mr..
Irving's neck in the parting scene
Lay your heal ON my breast and lean on me
helplessly as a fri yhtened child might" and as, the
dainty head droCped on his shoulder and the
graceful form of j ulie sank back into one arm of
DIR. Irving he looked perfectly unconeerned. and
indicated with the other hand and arm how the
other actors should move. Later on, when
jeanette locked the door TO keep Dnbose from
leaving his room, Dir. Irving interfered.
Turn around, please,s so that the audience can
see your hands and the lock-" he said. There
is nothing in your speech to indicate that you are
turning the key, but the people will believe that
you are if they see it done"
Finally the crowd Of citizens rushed in, and as
the men roared with rage and welded their clubs
ferociously it was remarkable to see how the
eyes of the manager took in at once the whole
picture and every Inconsistent detail. His silky
terrier jumped ABOUT the stage and banked in
terror lest his master might be attacked As the
final tableau was struck and the company left
the stage Mr.. Irving bowed courteously, and
went out arm and arm with Mr.. Bran Stoker.
A Strange Mania.
Few York Letter in Albany Journal.