The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-02-20
IRVING AT WORK.
THE READING LESSONS rs GIVEN AT
REHEARSALS.
What an Actor Does to Insure Success
Practical Instructions in EIocutiOn,
Gesture and ActiOn-Str;ct At
tention to Details.
New York Herald


In the middle of the half lighted stage
stood tall figure, cled in gray and black
Wavy, black locks fell back from 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
he carried cane with gold band around
it, and the other was thrust jauntily in his
| side pocket, Ladies and gentlemen walked
about in the wings, and few were grouped
ON the stage watching the second
scene of "The Lyons Mail" Carpenters
could be seen hammering pulling and
lifting all sorts of odd lool4ing things. In
| the air swung q gondoia, and resting in the
stern of it was trunk labeled quebec,
as if a portion Of Lord Wolseley's
Canadian contingent ha5 deserted and sold
their boat. Against the rear wall rested
the black bridge over which the broken
hearted Shylock returned to his dosolate
home, and besides it was fragment of the
| moonlit garden where the fair Portia tantal-
led Signor Bassanio ana made him wish
stood on the left of the stage with open
| windows and q candle burning upon a table
within
ooh, MIR. Ball. said Irving to the leader
| of the orchestra, "you should not give us
that mere tremuous effect. Let one of the
violins play the air softly, but distinctly.
Thank you, that is much better
| Just then JoHquet, the innkeeper's 10y,
| tripped on, delivering his lines as he came
| in a strong, clear voice
| soft, soft" said Mr., Irving. Use a
| lighter tone. You look young, my boy, but
your voice bellies YOU
| The young actor smiled and repeated the
| lines in boyish way, that brought smile to
| the face of his chief There was no sign of
| irritation or resentment on JoliqIet's face,
| but an expression OF gratitude for the timely
| hint 1t is one of the peeuiaritie Of Mr.
| Irving management that the actors do not
seem to regard his instructions as an in
| fIingement of their rights or an aspersion
upon their professional reputation. Juliquet
ran into the cottEge, and when he was Of
| fered a five francs piece for a bottle of
wine ne jumped two steps of the stairs al
| time in his JOY.
"Hou're not glad enough" was the quiet
criticism OF Mr. Irving. jump three steps"
And Joliquet came flying down from the the
door with radiant face, clearing the three
steps and landing on the stage with an ar
tistic bang.
Now, walk on your toes and screw up
your face when | wiring your ear" contin-
uea the great manager, as he twisted the
actors ear in a matter-of-fact way, and
looked calmly down to see that tine proper
ex, ression Of pain was visible.
| You look honest, rectted Joiiquet.
| You lOo-o-O-k honest corrected Mr.
Irving Remember that you have had
| your doubts about it, and you haven't vet
made up your mind. Put special emphasis
on "look'
! Here pair of horses pranced on the stage
with stage coach bohind them. 1t was the
| Lyons mail, AS the guard leaped from his
seat, and started to drink imaginary brandy
from bottle, Mr.. Irving picked up pistol
and fired at him The guard shuddercd, and
than, Us he was being stabbed by another
ruf1ian, fell upon the stage and proceeded to
| die. Mr. Irving smiled
That won't DO" he said when | fire
you must act so that the audience will know
that my bullet has hit you Throw your
arms above your head and move the fingers
clutchingly as if you were in death agony,
| thus
The managers arms reached wildly up-
/ NaIuy duu as "a pitSeIpil VI Intense agony
| came into his countenance as he turned
around and fell upon one knee.
The guard thanked his chief for the illus
tration, and went through with the convuls-
i've movemsnt to the satisfaction of himself
and every one else.
The rehearsal proceeded smoothly for
awhile TO the point where Joliquet de.
nOunces Lesurqu9s as the murderer Of the
guard.
You must all utter an expression Of SUI
prise here and help it by sudden gestures"
said Mr. Irving to his company "The last
time | was accused of being murderer you
looked 80 Indifferent and uninterested that
one would think it a commonplace thing for
a man of good reputation to be recognized
as an assassin. Now give the expression
with unity and force. All! very good; thank
you"
In the last act Julia put her arms around
Mr.. Irvlngs neck in the parting scene
Lay your head on my breast and lean on
me helplessly as q frightened child might, y
and as the dainty head dropped on his Shout
der and the graceful form of Julia sank
back into one arm of Mr.. Irving he looked
perfectly unconcerned AMI indicated with
the other hand and arm how tie other act
ors should move. Later on, when Janette
locked the door to keep Dubesc from leav.
ing his room, Mr.. Irving interfered
Turn around, please, 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 PEG
pie will believe that you are if they see il
done"
Finally the crowd of citizens rushed in
and as the men roared with rage and welded
their clubs ferociousiy it was remarkable Il
see how the eyes of the manager took in a
once the whole picture and every inconsist
ent detail His silky terrier jumped about
the stage and barked in terror lest his mas
l ter might be attacked. As the final tableal
, was struck and the company left the stag
Mr.. Irving bowed courteously, and went gu
arm in arm with Mr. Bran Stoker.