, 1885-02-25
IRVING AT WORK.
THE READING LESSONS AS GIVEN AT
REHEARsALS.
What an Actor Does TO Insure Success
Practical Instructions In Elocufion.
Gesture and A~ction-strlct At
tentIon to Details.


In the middle Of the half lighted stage
stood a tall ngure, clad in gray and black
Wavy, black locks fell back from a clean
cut and grave profile. A pair Of dark
eyes, set deeply under heavy, overhanging
eyebrows, watched the murmuring orches-
ira 1t was Henry Irving. In one hand
no carried a cane With a golf md around
IT, and the other was thruy.nen lily in his
side pocket Ladies and NJ hwalked
about in the wings, and aped
on tho stage watcl "A r.. 4
sesns OF THE Lyons Mall" ~
could DO seen hammering, pull 4
lifting all sorts OF looking things In
the air swung a gondola, and resting in the
stern Of IL was a trunk labeled Quebec, ="
As II q portion OF Lord Wolsaloy's
Canadian contingent had deserted and sold
their boat Against the rear wall rested
the black bridge over which the broken.
hearted Shylock returned to his dssolats
home, and besides it was a fragment Of the
moonlit garden where the fair Portla tantal
lied Signor Bassanio and made linn wish
that he hadn't A simple roadside inn
stood ON tho left Of tho stage with open
Windows and "A candle burning upon n table
within.
ooh, Mr. Ball. said Irving to the lea Ter
of the orchestra, ~you should not give u
that mere tremulous effect. Let one OF the
violins play the air softly, but distinctly.
Thank you, that Is much better"
Just thou ~Joliquet, the innkeeper's loy,
tripod on, delivering his lines as no came
in a strong, clear voice.
SOFT SOFT said Mr.. Irving. AUso a
lighter tone. You look young. my boy. but
your voice bellies you"
The young actor smiled and repeated the
lines In a boyish way, that brought nsmile 10
the funn ~ hfa rhfaf Tho. 500. a.. IL. -
irritation or resentment on Joliquets face,
but an expression OF gratitude for the timely
hint II Is one OF the peculinrltie OF Mr..
lrving's management that the actors do not
seem TO regard his Instructions rs an in
ffingement of their rights or an dispersion
upon their professional reputation. Jollquet
ran into the cottage, and when he was Of
fered a five francs piece for a bottle OF
wine he jumped two steps Of tho stairs at a
time in his Joy.
You're not glad enough" was the quiet
criticism OF Mr.. Irving. Jump thres steps"
And Joliquet came flying down from the the
door with a radiant face, clearing the three
steps and landing on the stage with an ar
tistic bang.
"Now, walk on your tees and screw up
your face when / wiring your ear contin-
ued the great manager, as be twisted the
actors car In a matter-of-fact way. and
looked calmly down 10 soc that tho proper
ex ression OF pain was visible.
you look honest" recited Jollquet
"You loo-o-o-k honest corrected Mr..
Irving. "Ramembsr hat you havs had
your doubts about II. and you haven't we,
made up your mind Put special emphasis
on look.
Here a pair of horses prancsl on the sta 2,
with a stage coach behind then. It was tie
Lyons mail As the guard isaped from his
seat, and started TO drink imaginary brandy
from n bottle. Mr. Irving picked up a pistol
and fired Al him. This guard shuddered, AMI
then, as he was belng stabbed by another
rufiian, fell upon the stage and proceeded /,
die. Mr.. Irving smile.l.
THAT won't do, ho said "When | hre
you must act so that tho audience Will know
that my bullet has hit you. Throw your
arms above your head and move the fingers
clutchingly rs II you were in asieath agony.
thus
The managers arms reached wildly up
ward, and an expression Of intense agoly
came into his c-ountenancs as he turned
around aud fell upon ons knee.
Tbs guard thanked his chief for tho illus
~trationi and went through with tho ~conyuls-
i've movement to the satisfaction Of himself
AMI every one else.
The rehearsal proceeded smoothly for
awhile to the point where Joliquet de-
nounces Lesurquos as the murderer OF tho
guard.
"Yo must all utter an expression OF sur
prise hero and help il by sudden gestures
said Mr.. Irving to his company. THE last
time l was accused OF being a murderer you
looked 30 indifferent and unintercsted that
one would think II n commonplace thing for
a man OF good reputation 10 be recognized
as an assassin Now give the expression
with unity n foros Ali very good; thank
you
In the last act Julia put her arms around
Mr.. Irving's neck in the parting scene.
Lay your head on my breast n lean on
me helplessly as n frightened child might
and Us the dainty head dropped ON his shout.
der and the graceful form OF Julia sank
back into ono arm Of Mr.. Irving he looked
perfectly unconcerned and indicated with
the other hand and arm how the other act
os should move. Later ON, whom Janetts
locked the door to keep Dubesc from leav.
ing his room, Mr.. Irving interferei.
Turn around, pleass, 20 that the audience
can see your hands and the lock, - he said.
~rhere is nothing in your spoech to indicate
that you are turning the key, but the peo-
Pile will believe that you are II they SEQ Il
DONE
Finally tho crowd Of citizens rushed in.
and as the mon roared with rage and welded
their clubs ferociously it was remarkable to
see how the eyes Of the manager took in at
once tho whole picture and every inconsist-
ent detail His silky terrier jumped about
the stage and barked in terror lest his mas
ter might DO attacked. As the final tableau
was struck and tho company loft the stage
Mr.. Irving bowed courteously, and went out
nrfn In arm NTH NJ n~us. lt,L..
sl,o St.,u..t IN. u,-u.