Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-10-26
THE PLAy-PRoouceR
Man Who Plans and Directs the 'fsu
ness" of New Drama.

A Man who Plans and Directs the "BusI
ness" of New Drama.
The play-producer is much NOR,
than an ordinary stage manager. lii
stands for the time as the author, or n
least us ths expoundcr OF his ideas
for as rule. the young drumatist Il
not an actor, and while he may know
the results he desires, is ignorant o
the processes by which thoy must be-
obtained. Many managers are unable
through the pressure OF osher business
10 give their new plays or trial pro
auctions all the time necessary foi
proper supcrintendence and are, there
fore. glad 20 avail themselves OF the
services OF the producer More es-
pseiaily is this the case with spectac-
ular plays, which require long time
In preparation, and In which there Is
al intlnitude OF work in drilling each
department separately and finally get
ting them into a harmonious whole.
The manuscript OF new play Ia
given 10 the producer many weeks In
advance OF the dase fixed for its first
presentation. lie proceeds to read
IL over and over again till, with
the assistance aud explanation OF
the author. he becomes thoroughly
imbued with the spirit, feeling aud
purport OF tho play During this as
sisnilating process he mny see chances
of Improvement In the way of conden-
satiun, elaboration or alteration, and
his suggestions In these directions are
often ~ considerable value When tho
producer IL thoroughly familiar with
the play ne begins 70 plan the "husI-
ness or movements and actions OF all
the characters. This he proceeds to
mark on his prompt copy. aud though
In rehcarsals some modification OF his
preeoncesyod Ideas may be found nee
essary, the business will usually
stand pretty nearly as at frat Az
ranged. This branch OF stage art Is
Of the utmost Importance, as many
plays Of no striking merit are frequent
~ rendered attractive by novel nm d
ingenious bits OF ''business.n which at
once strike the spectator us natural
and unconventional
Having thoroughly grasped the
scope Of the action aud the nature OF
the characters who are To exhibit IL,
the play-proaueer. In consultation
with the author or manager who Is for
the time his employer, proceeds TO en-
gage the east In the plays OF to-day
qtas.as ~ s,u,8..s, r..,.. "A ,,ntt..al 49,,
permanent ARE more easily obtainnble
than considerable experience and
trained ability, and. therefore. great
deal OF judgment has to De used In Sc
lecsing company In the old days,
when actors and actresses could "play
any thing they were engaged on the
merit OF their reputation, and thell
appearance was not considered The
progress OF realism has brought about
a demand that actors should lock theil
part Like al! reforms and innova
iions. this has not becn an unmixet
blessing. We often, nowadays, ge
the looks without the ability To act
Who're The two qualifications are hap
ply united. then eyes. ears and intel
leei are alike pleased
Al the time while he Is planning hi
business the play-produoer alst
makes out his s'plois," or direction,
for scene-painters, carpenters. prop
eriy mon, gas ana calcium men. /
the new piece Is TO be u heavy one
with many new and elaborate scenes
his conferences with the painter
aud carpeutar wili be frequent ans
long. Plans have 10 bs drawn an,
models made and painted, aud then ac
eepisd, modified, or rejected as the
cease may be. Where pieces arc only
going 10 be tried for one performance
scenery Is seldom especially painted
and the taste and Ingenuity OF the
producer and the carpenter are taxed
IN setting and combining Old scenes Sc
a. TO give them newer or at any rat,
less familiar Appearance In spectac
ular plays. cossnmers, armor-makers
wig makers and all the host OF TRADES
men used have 10 be seen aud con
stantly overlooked
> tN itiAfht@ttA1 blNB pNAln l{ft pay
producer knows little rest until after
the FIRST presentation. On that occa
sion he "runs the stage secs that 4
is properly set that tho people hay,
all thelr properties. and attends 10 IN,
ringing up ard down OF the curtain
After the flrst performance his labor
generally end. though II alterations o
cuts are found necessary. he attends t,
those the following day. The play
producers Gutios AFRO arduoas and re
sponsible, and constant occupation 4
not to bc relied upon Under thes,
circumstances it Is only reasouabl,
that his remuneration. when employed
should be liberal. He rarely got
much credit from the public, and oul,
few OF the critics. who thorough,
know all the details and difficulties o
stage preparation, think il uecessar,
10 give him word OF commentator
~ y Tribune.
- -
-~''Cozey Bell. handsome femal
Skye-terrier, bad been the househol,
net OF "A wealthy New Ynrs lady Ia