Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-04
The Theater of To-day,
COSTLY CHANGES THAT THESE MODERN TIMES HAv,
BROUGHT ABOUT.

COSTLY CHANGES THAT THESE MODERN TINES HAVE
BROUGHT ABOUT.
From the New York Graphic.
The time has been when q sheet Of tipfoil In
closed In well-imitated frame did duty on the
stage as a drawfng-room looking glass; when car
pets were painted, even as ballroom floors were
formerly chalked, In complicated colored devices:
and when canvas strained over superstructures
OF wood, and dexterously but coarsely COL
ored. did duty for antique carved oak settees up
holstered with cushions Of silk and velvet,
But even In the matter OF theatrical DanUuetS
realism OF a luxurious and artistic character has
succeeded the old rOugh-and-ready limitations OF
viands and wine. Where Is the pastebOard sirIoin
OF beef with assures through which the vapor OF
Stacked lime rose In curled wreatbS to make be-
lieve that the bogus joint beneath was really
roasted and smoking hot? Where is the card
board fowl the brown paper pie, the cylinder
stuffed into It's mouth, represented pot of
porter: and where, in particular. are goblets made
OF papier mache, and colored half way I'D with
crimson lake, which were supposed to be bumpers
OF rare Burgundy, 10 be quaffed by the barOn's
retalners when they returned from hunting ex-
they drank TO the health OF their valiant chief
and laughed "Hai hal" The primitive days are
i long past when tne ghost OF "Hamlet' wore
his armor was composed either OF the same in
nocuouS material covered by metallic film, or OF
a cheap and light material, procured from Paris,
which had certainly more tin than steel
in Its substance. Instead OF these humble
limitations, we have now the real thing-real
and real elaret. Genuine champagne
has even been heard OF the stage and In lieu OF
paper armor furnished up with foil the Tower
armories seem 10 have been rifed TO supply actual
and historic hauberks and headpieces, bassinets
and creastplateS, burgonetS and coats OF mail for
the theater. Analogous advances have been made
with respect to the very curtain and act drop,
which are now often OF real plush or velvet, In
stead or so much rough, clever painting with
medium OF size and whitewash on q background
OF sailcloth. The dresses OF the performers have
undergone similar change In the direc-
ton OF nandSomenesS and taStefulness Glazed
calico Is no longer heard OF as a substitute TO
Satin although IL looks nearly as well In the glare
OF the footlightS Lifeguardsmen no longer tread
the boards In white calico neither garments in lieu
OF buckskln and In JackbOotS which were popu-
larry supposed to be made or black sticking
plaster but were really Connected OF well lapsnned
buckram instead OF leather. When the barOn's re-
tainers appear In gauntetS, those accessories are
made OF real skin. They are no longer white Bertns
with paper tops smeared with yellow ocher The
very smallest minute OF theatrical properties" are
now carefully, thougnfully and sk1lfully designed
and maize, and IL only remains for the purse OF
gold with which the generous stage uncle presents
his beautiful stage niece TO be filled with real
jubilee eff1gles OF her majesty, instead of tin
seled counters OF Hanover" sovereigns, for the
reform In properties" which the drama owes 10
the artistic perception and liberal enterprise OF
such managers as MIR. Irving, Mr.. Augustus Harris
Mr.. Hare and Mr.. Kendall 10 approach what NAV
be humanely considered perfection.