Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-15
SOME INSIDE SCENES.
HOW A GREAT PANTOMIME IS
PUT ON THE STAGE.
,..The Babes In the Wood - Seen from The
WiHss Of Chicago Stage lmpses
at = Fairy. Like Spectacle.
Meehanlcsl Effects.


Few persons who have seen "Babcs
IN the Wood" the famous English
Christmas pantomime, says the Chica-
60 Herald, have any conception of the
labor, patience and mechanical energy
that are spent nightly 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 tho mind. The
changes arc made SO rapidly and
smoothly. one group follows another
in such close order, that the effect IL
at once dazzling and confusing. A
perfectly constructed piece of machin-
cry could not work with less jar and
friction. A single misstep. a false
note. the careless handling OF u rope
or light or blunder Of any sort, no
matter how trivial, would upset an
entire scene and mar the picture as
certainly as would a pot of paint flung
with good aim at u rare canvas.
As one reclines in an opera chair
and watches the dazzling transforma-
tons occurring behind the footlights
he rarely diverts his mind long enough
to oven 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 wait impatiently Tor the cues that
will send them hurrying into the
glare of the stage lights. Nor can he
see the queer-looking. athletic fellows
who stand perspiring behind the tow
ering sections of scenery ready to
jump and effect transformation a:
the tinkling of u bell or the sound OF
bugle. The stage manager is hurry
ing about with n SLOUGH hat drawn
over his eyes, quietly issuing orders
to subordinates. The prompter is
drilling coterie Of nervous girls in
speaking parts, the ballet master is
hopping. jumping aud gesticulating in
the midst of an attractive group of
dainty coryphees whose most noticeable
characteristic is q lack of clothes,
while the man who directs rybody
and everything is moving from place
to place. silencing one group Of chat
tering girls. with a look reproving
another for some triaing inattention
to duty and informing his
subordinates where they can
strengthen and add effect to the per-
formance. 10 a novice verifying
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 the 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 Mt
the heavy iron curtain rolls up and
discloses the beautiful moonlit glen
until it falls and shuts from view the
radiant throne OF the sun god the
stage forces work with q precision
that is amazing. The glen is both
picturesque and natural, and before it
Is invaded by Robin Hoods rolllcking
band, which in this instance is COM
posed Of half score OF shapely young
women. whose charms are enhanced
BY the art Of the modern stage
costumer, it recalls SCOTS beautiful
pen pictures of the sylvan forests
whore gallant yeomen lived, fought
and died.
The electric moon, glaring from a
bright sky. performs all the functions
OF our own luna, and sheds its
refulgent light on the shimmering
waters OF tho brook which dances
gaily under the big. gloomy trees In
a moment the glen gives way to q
garrett and the shapely yeomen with
their bright costumes are succeeded
by characters of u 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 precipitateIy
before the charge of the tumbling little
animals, but return in time to join
them in rollicking dance which is
only ended by the advent OF Robin
Hood and his huntsmen, who conclude
the act with song.
--------e-~---
Nellie 0rant.eartoriS in London.
, Colonel Thomas Ochiltree recentlv