Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-04

Imagine saucy 150-pound beauty, with
ravisning Inquire, in an attempt to COM
press her stuhby No. extremities into 8
No. satin slipper. She simply can't dc
1t, but she does the next best thing, and is
happy in the apparent possession, to the
public eve, of the envied concomitant. To
more securely hide her pedal enormity she
| calls to her aid the theatrical shemaker's
art. The Thespic Crispin is an artist. He
satisfies her vanity and reforms her foot to
| degree OF attractiveness. If she has a
high instep it is an easy task, for 'Louis
Quinze" heel of exceeding breadth, set al
most in the center of the foot-gear, the
sole of which is curved something after
the fashion of an abbreviated Cupid's bow,
produces the effect desired. Others
highten the effect thus produced by CON-
binations and contrasts of color in the
material and costume
There is, however, one more important
feature in the burlesquer's makeup which
commands even more attention than the
slipper or foot. 1t is the mystic tights in
which she is often called to clothe her
dainty figure. These are, for the most
part VI Sllk NGD, ulmlnutlV6
enough to be smuggled in glove box.
The gaiety girl at work at home pre-.
sents two distinct phases of individuality
Upon the stage she is the obedient, if not
staid seryitor, generally blonde beauty
of exquisite shape, making merry for the
multitude. At home, stripped of her gaudy
raiment, enjoying. with her companions, an
early morning love feast, consisting,
usually, off cool draught of lager, a friendly
game of "penny -ante" or cigarette. She
is brunette of pronounced type. Her
long, black tresses have been combed out
preparatory to retiring, and she is once
more the thorough out and out Bohemian
that nature designed her to be.
Managerial restrictions are many and
salaries are small. And this very bevy of
femininity included in the company named
forms fair criterion for observation. Here
are forty women of this more sinned
against than SHINING class. There is a
secret 10 their sportive abandon and whole
hearted performance in public. Always
under the hawk eye of the manager,
whether he be at door, in auditorium, be-
hind the scenes, at hotel or on the road,
the stage affords them their only opportu-
nifty for working of thesuperhuity of animal
spirits which are bound to accumulate in
every restrained body. He, too, knows it.,
and knows that as an aid to the "go" and
zest Of his show it is indispensable to re-
lieve the monotony of stereotyped slines."
Thus they Timber out to play, yet ever
fearful of the heavy penalty inflicted at
any infringement upon or violation of de-
corum. Their costumes cost anywhere
from $50 to $500, dependent upon their
rank, ability or "act." Their salaries
range from $12 a week. and board and rail-
road fair by slow advances to $50, and oc-
casionally little higher. but not often. 1t
is only the lot of the star or Feature
a veteran in years and experience-to fall
heir to the latter amounts.
Almost any day the visitor ascending
the stairs leading to a school on East
Fourteenth street on entering will find
himself in the midst of gay band of
women in abbreviated skirts and tights,
and what might be termed the fatigue
uniform" of the corps de ballet. These
are the female premieres of the ballet of
the future. The hall where these novices
are taught does not differ materially from
the familiar interior of the ordinary New
York dancing school. 1t is the same
lofty, capacious apartment, with glossily
waxed floor, and the walls are adorned
with many photographs of studies and
premieres in posse plastique, all of whom
are or have been pupils there. During a
visit of the writer few days ago, the Pro-
fessor unceremoniously led him into the
mazes and mysteries of the art to which
he is SO ardently devoted. While he was
briefly entertaining his visitor in the ante
room, glimpse could be caught now and
then through the open door of visions of
loveliness, clothed in tarlatan and tights,
fitting by the entrance in impromptu re-
hearsal. They were pupils, impatient for
the Professors return, and further post
poning the interview, he invited the
scribe to witness the conclusion of the
drill
1t was class hour, and at his command
Of "Allons, mam'zelles," the dozen i'm
provised fairies were instantly all atten-
tion, and the lesson began to the accom-
paniment of a succession of jerky strains
extracted by the professor from his violin.
The rail exercise or limbering up" pro-
cess introduced the lesson, which con-
cluded in a marvellous sequence OF pirou-
cites, all in perfect time, the pupils toes
barely touching the floor, their arms and
bodies swaying in rhythmic unison with
the music. Painting and flushed, the task
was soon concluded, and the pupils re-
tired.
Hanging upon pegs about the walls in
rear apartment could be seen stockings
and knee-tights of various colors and sizes,
white satin pique vests, short skirts of
yari-colored tarlatan, with trains light as
feathers, and upon the floor collection of
recently discarded cloth shoes and slip
pers minus heels. These constituted the
costumes worn by the pupils in practice,
and which upon their graduation would
be laid aside for the pink silk tights,
satin bodice and abbreviated skirts of the
premier danseuse. Some of these had a
few hours before encased the figures of
several female members of Rudolph
Aronson's Casino Opera Company, who
were rehearsing new steps, dances and
groupings under monsieur's tuition for
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