The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-19

THE GORGEOUS CREATURE WHO ACTS AS
PAGE.
negro dressed in an embroidered green
jacket with red sleeves, short white cash
mere trunks and turban. His limbs will
be bare.
HISTORICAL SCENERY.
The scenery for the play has been de-
signed and made especially for it by Mr..
Hamilton Bell, who has made special study
of the times of Louis XVI. in order to have
the representation historically correct The
boudOir Of the opera singer will be one of
the most richly furnished and costly ever
shown on the amateur stage. The furniture
will be genuine, loaned for the occasion by
some of the wealthiest families. The pre-
veiling tone of the boudoir scene will be
lightly blue, the panels being blue silk set
off by white and gold. There will be an
elegant sofa, toilet table, chairs and all
other appropriate furniture of the richest
material, and the room will be represented
partly filled with the bouquets, souvenirs
and other gifts which have been sent to the
singer. The intrinsic value alone Of this
scene will be several thousand dollars The
cost of the representation will be fully s., 900,
it is estimated.
At the time of Louis XVI. it was not Gus
tomary for the French officers to wear a
mOustache. As Herbert Kelley refused to
shave off his for the occasion, Mr.. Bell
who designed the costumes as well as the
scenery, was in quandary, naturally think
ing that people posted on the subject would
regard this as a serious breach in the his
torical representation. Mr.. Bell hunted up
authorities. He at last discovered that
Louis XVI. established one regiment Of
huzZarS in imitation Of those of Germany,
and that the officers wore mOustaches Mr..
Kelley will personate an officer of this regl-
ment and the historical completeness of the
representation will not therefore be married
by Mr.. Keceys moustache.
THE RAGE FOR AMATEURS.
Naturally so much attention and expense
bestowed upon an amateur performance has
aroused a marked degree of interest in anna
teur theatricals generally and has started
the craze anew among society folk. New
recruits are appearing and everything Of
interest on the subject is eagerly received.
In this connection / asked Mr.. Belasko his
opinion regarding the present day work of
amateurs compared with that of few years
ago. He has had large experience in pri-
vate theatricals and is a competent judge.
He said the amateurs are doing much better
now than ever before i'll general work They
are making more of a study of the work,
visit the theaters with an idea Of improve
ment, put more earnestnesS III their efforts
to enter more into the spirit and freedom OF
the play From an intellectual standpoint
he has observed steady improvement, find
ing the amateurs as a rule very attentive
and very earnest. The plays they do the
best in are the Romance of a Poor Young
Man. " Caste LED Astray" and those Of
q similar description. Serious work is
their stronghold" he added, ''for the anna
teur is very serious individual and unless
possessed with a natural aptitude for comedy
does rot succeed in it..
(toGturr1ar Homer who has had wears of
experience with amateurs here and who is
making most of the costumes for Con
trast =" said that the average cost to costume
an amateur play was from Sl50to $2C0. Few
go into the work as deliberately as will be
the case on this occasion, but now and then
the figures reach 81 900 and over. The most
extensive are elaborate productions of Pa
tencen the "Mikado' and the "Pirates of
Penzance," which cost $1,000. The cost Of
the costumes for a representation of 80
lanthe - not long ago, was 81 700. A full
Opern by amateurs costs from 81, 500 to $4,000
to costume Some Of the garments cost $50
each to manufacture. Among the most eX-
pensive are ladies' evening dresses of satin,
elaborated and brocaded with flowers; court
dresses of silk and satin, en- train, which
cost from S75 to 500 each, and military
uniforms, trimmed with lace, gold and sill
YER Wigs are made that cost as high as
$40. S75 and even $780, but very satisfac-
factory ones can be rented Tor rev dollars
an evening and small plays can be mounted
for as low as S25 each. The number Of
amateur dramatic societies and clubs in the
city and vicinity Mr.. Homer estimated to
be about 200
HOW AMATEURS ARE PREPARED.
One of the most experienced men in the
city i'm the practical workings Of amateur
porformances is Mr.. Charles Bellows, Jr.,
who has been stage manager for the Brook
lyn Amaranth Society the past eight years
and mas been connected with amateur per
formances here for fifteon years He was
asked for some particulars Of the modus
operandi of preparing an amateur company
for play He sid
In all wel-regulated amateur clubs there
Is dramatic committee who have absolute
control for the selection Of the play end the
charactels. The beginner comes before lhls
committee for part Hoor she whenever
lie case may be-, Is given first a small part
ID iittle in,tortanfe' n the play Is new 10
la nrt instruct them nDo tbe staRe enc
trance. exlta and What is known ~ 'bnsi-
ns.aAi 1hsn 4 e41lelf ~ iaeni VIAL ina
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