The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-01-12
SCIENCE ON THE STAGE.
Mr.. Barnard Tells How Re-
a1istic Effects May
Be Made.

Mr. Charles D. Barnard, in a recent
article in the Dramatic Mirror rela-
tive 70 science on the stage, says:
One man Of science has already
invaded the stage, and that is the
electrician. The electric light has been
adopted in many Of our finest theatres,
and has already proved of the very
greatest value. 1t is far more pliable
than gas, it can be placed in positions
where gas wonld be exceedingly dang
erous, and it has given the 'gasmann
opportunities to produce novel and
artistic effects in his important field
OF work. 1t has been accepted by the
scene painter because it enables him
TO produce effects of light and shade
that would be impossible with any
other form OF light.
Who next should be asked to come
upon the stage2 Every man Of science.
The civil engineer, the hydraulic engi-
neer, the mechanical, military and
naval engineer; the chemist: the ply
siologist, and most important of all
the physicist, or student of physics.
We shall be wise if we also ask the
botanist, geologist, zoologist, lest our
i scene-painter give US the date palm
/ growing beside the cedar tree. or the
property man bring on real. wild,
stuffed monkey ganboiing with a
| Polar bear.
OF all the men Of science who may
/ yet come to the aid of the theatre the
/ physicist viii prove the most gener-
ally useful. He is the student of ma
4 rure. He understands the laws of
light, sound. heat, electricity and
magnetism. 1t is by the wise use of
these laws that the great stage effects
of the future are to be obtained. Our
/ stage carpenters already understand
/ the use of mechanical science. Chem
/ istry is already used to obtain certain
effects of fire. smoke and eolored
| lights. Electricity has secured a foot
ing on the stage, and will be more and
more freely used to obtain effects of
light. The engineers, the botanists,
biologists and biologists will save as
from mistakes like some seen in GER
tain plays on the New York stage this
season, and the student of nature viii
show us how to produce new effects.
1t is safe TO say that it is quite pos
sible to produce upon the stage almost
any scene in modern life, art, industry
or science The casting-room of a
blast furnace, a rolling mill or the in
terror of a steel plant for making
Bessemer metal would seem TO be
rather difficult things to put on the
stage, and they are not difficult For
instance, a Bessemer converter in
operation is perhaps the grandest
metallurgical display to be found in
the world this side of volcano. There
seems no way in which the huge, roar
ing, fiery vessel could be placed upon
the stage, and when it tips over and
pours out its cataract of white-hot
steel the audience would probably be
in panic Yet, in the opinion of the
writer, it would be quite possible to
represent a Bessemer converter in ac-
ton on the stage in perfect safety.
How it can be done the writer most
modest1y declines TO tell.
Naturally il will be asked, who is to
decide in case the physicist or any
other man of science is TO be asked TO
assist us upon the stage2 VIII the
author say he wishes such or such an
effect and look to the stage manager,
or will the author consult his man of
science before bringing his play to the
theatre2 Clearly it is the author II
he does not know how his desired
effect is to be produced land he cannot
know everything) lie must consult
someone who does know. and they
two will together consult the stage
/ manager.
1t is doubtful if any man of science
! could produce a new effect unless
| familiar with the stage, and it is the
union of three minds that will give
us our great results in the future.
/ The scientist TO tell us how, the stage
manager to apply the knowledge on
| the stage, and the poet TO shed over
science the light that never was on
sea or land.
] Lastly, it may be objected that
science on the stage will be hard. dull,
undramatic and uninteresting. 1t
I will be, unless the author be poet
and dranatist. We live in an age of
I science, yet men are men, and love
romance, poetry. seIf-sacrifice, hero
| ism and all the goodly motives of
heart and soul survive today, and
| they are just as strong as in the days
| OF the unromantie and unscientitic
| past.