The Forrest City times., 1891-01-09
SOME INSlrE SCENES.
HOW A GREAT PAk'TOMiME IS
 PUT ON THE SFAoE.
.'The Babes b ths wood- y Sees ~Irom she wings Of . Chicago stsse--GttnSsNs st . Tsiry- Like Spectacle s
 Mechanical Effects.

Few persons who have ceen ''Babes l Tn the Wood" the famous English Christmas pantomime, says the Chica- go Herald, have any conception of the labor, patience and mechanical energy that are spent nighhy to make the great production success. All the audience sees is an ever-changing stage picture, brilliant in colors and graceful in outline. which fascinates the eye and engrosses the mind. The changes are made so rapidly and smoothly. one group follows another in such close order, that the effect Is at once dazzling and confusing. A perfectly constructed piece of machin- cry could not work with less jar and friction. A single misstep, false note. the careless handling of rope or light or bluuder of any sort, no matter how trivial. would upset an entire scene and mar the picture as certainly as would pot of paint flung with good aim at rare canvas.
 AS one reclines in an opera chair and watches the dazzling trausforma- tions occurring behind the footlights he rarely diverts his mind long enough to even wonder how it is all accom- plished. He cannot see the crowds of coryphees, amazons, merry men and children who shake the broad wings and ait impatiently for the cues that will send them hurrying into the glare of the stage lights. Nor can he sec the queer-looking, athletic fellows who stand perspiring behind the tow ering sections of scenery ready to jump and effect a transformation at the tinkling of bell or the sound of bugle. The stage manager is hurry ing about with a slouch hat drawn over his eyes, quietly issuing orders to subordinates. The prompter Is drilling a coterie of nervous girls in speaking parts, the ballet master Is hopping. jumping and gesticulating in the midst of an attractive group of dainty coryphees whose most notica ble characteristic Is a lack of clothes. while the man who directs every body and everything is moving from place to place. silencing one group of chat tering girls. with look reproviug another for some tri.ling inattention to duty and informing his subordiuates where they can s+r nd ,ll formance. To novice everything looked to be in confusion and disorder but the waves Of applause which rolled in from the auditorium with a seemingly never-ending roar proved that tho impression was due to lack Of acquaintance with stage matters, They also attested to the delight which the popular pantomime awakens in all who see it. From the nome nt the heavy iron curtain rolls up and discloses the beautiful moonlit glen until 1t falls and shuts from view the radiant throne o. the sun god the stage forces work with a precision that is amazing. The glen is both picturesque and natural. and before it Is invaded by Robin Hoods rollicking band, which in this instance Is com posed of half score Of shapely young women. whose charms are enhanced by the art of tho modern stage oostumer 1t recalls Scotts beautiful pen pictures Of the sylvan forests where gallant yeomen lived. fought and died.
 The electric moon, glaring from n bright sky. performs all the functions of our own luna, and sheds it's refugent light on the shimmering waters of the brook which dances gaily under the big, gloomy trees, In q moment the glen gives way to q garret and the shapely yeomen with their bright costumes are succeeded by characters of Il more commonplace order. Then comes the kings deer forest. another masterpiece of scenic art in which graceful nymphs and curiously attired rabbits hold high carnival. The nymphs. who are necessarily timid. retreat precipitately before the charge of the tumbling little animals, but return in time to join them in a rollicking dance which Is only ended by the advent of Robin Hood and his huntsmen. who conclude the act with song.