Smyrna times., 1892-11-09
KEEPS OUT OF SIGHT.
YET THE WORK OF THE STAGE
CARPENTER is IMPORTANT.

Next to the Stage Manager the stape
Carpenter Is Probably the Person with
the Most Authority Behind the Scenes
of a Theater-His Duties.
AS tho public must know, every well
ordered theater has connected with it a
body of officials who are never seen on
the stage except by accident. This me-
chanical staff differs in size and ability,
but fair number for a good house will
comprise stage carpenter and his as
sistant, a property man, a fiayman, two
fremen and gasman. We still call
him "gasman," though the closet full
of knobs and levers and buttons manipu-
late electricity instead of gas in most
modern houses. The new mode of
lighting is more expensive than gas, but
1t is easier to manage and there is much
less danger of fire from it.
By the way, speaking of fires, the
awakening of the authorities in most
cities to a consciousness of the danger
from fires in theaters makes no end of
trouble for the stage carpenter, as well
as vast inrOads on the pockets of the
manager. In addition to the electric
lights, Mr.. Albaugh has lately added to
his theater q new asbestus curtain and a
great pipe for water, which runs along
in the flies and can be made TO drench
instantly every part of the stage should
fire break out among the inhammable
mass Of scenery and properties which
must be always at hand.
Even in these days, when many com
binations travel with carloads Of special
scenery, the theater must have a fair
stock of its own. Drawing room scenes,
wood scenes, cottages, kitchens and even
barns must be in stock. These can be
changed indefinitely by few small set
pieces to be used in front, thus affording
variety to those travelling companies
who are willing to use the scenery be-
longing to the house. This is always
desirable from the managers point Of
view, as the cost Of getting special scene
ry in and out Of the theater is consider
able and is always at his expense.
On the other hand, it is less trouble
some than you would suppose to fit spe-
cial scenery, when it is used, to the re-
quirements of different houses. The
only difficulty arises in the case of a
very small theater, when the scene some
times has to be cut and Tapped.
There is a great deal Of difference in
the ease with which scenery may be
handled. Take, for instance, the storm
scene in Cleopatra. The one used by
Nine. Bernhardt was made in France,
and was so heavy and massive that it
gave no end of trouble wherever it went.
Fanny Davenport's was much lighter
and more easily handled, although the
effect was more elaborate. We could
prepare it in a very short time and with
out the slightest hitch. Some actors and
stage managers are much more fastidi-
Gus than others.
Mr.. Mansfield is the most exacting
person in this respect that l know.
More things have to be hired for Mans
field engagement than for any other
three companies. Another very trying
season for the stage carpenter is when
grand opera comes to town for week
and the bill is changed every night.
Seven performances, each one with diff
ferent scenery and properties, involve a
lot of troublesome detail for some one.
Every theater has its own paint frame
and paint bridge, and when new scenery
is required the scene painter usually
comes and does the work on the spot.
Everything concerned with stage setting
is short lived, and soon becomes very
| shabby on near view, In drawing room
scenes the upholstered furniture is cared
for as well as possible, but the constant
hasty handling soon makes it battered
and worn. In fact, the best materials
for mantels, cabinets, bric-a-brac of
large size, even for chairs, is the papier
mache, with which a clever property
man can work such wonders. 1t is light
and easily handled, and stands hard
knocks remarkably well.
The stage carpenter usually gets his
plan OF the scenes required for a COM
ing attraction some time in advance of
the engagement. He must meet as
many of the needs as he can out of his
stock in hand, and then arrange for the
manufacture or rental Of the rest. He
must be on hand at every performance
to see about the actual work of chang
ing the scenes, and be ready to set
straight any accident which may occur.
His business is a regular trade, as in
fact is that of every person on the me-
chanical staff of the house. The car
penter must even accompany the fly
man in his perilous duties aloft if occa-
sion requires.
By the way, l once had a fyman who
was an old sailor, and found that nau-
teal career was the best possible train
ing for the business. Hewas the handi-
est man at getting around l ever saw,
and if a rope broke he could splice it
with marvellous speed. Besides all these
duties the stage carpenter attends to re.
pairs in other parts of the house, and
makes improvements wherever he can.
have just come this morning from the
skylght, where we need larger openings
Tor the escape of smoke, warm air, etc.
The ventilation around stage must be
quick and thorough, so that when pow
der is used in volleys all smoke and odo1
will pass quickly of.-B. F. Morrison in
Kate Fields Washington.