The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-09-28
KEEPS OUT OF SIGHT.
YET THE WORK c. The STAGE
CARPENTER IS IMPORTANT.


Ee1t to the Stage Manager the Stage
Carpenter Is Probably the Person with
,be Most Authority Behind the Scenes
Of a Theater-His Duties
As the public must know, every vel
trdered theater has connected with It a
hDdv Of officials who are never seen on
he stage except by accident This me-
.hanical staff differs IN size and ability,
but a fair number for a good house VIII
somprise a stage carpenter and his as
rstant, a property man, fsyman, two
sremen and q gasnan. We suH call
aim a Hgasman," though the closet full
If knobs and levers and buttons manlpu-
ate electricity instead OF gas in most
modern houses. The new mode OF
fighting Is more expensive than gas, but
Il is easier TO manage and there Is much
less danger Of fire from II.
BY the way, speaking Of fires, the
awakening Of the authorities in most
rites to a consciousness Of the danger
from fires in theaters makes no end Of
trouble for the stage carpenter, as Wei
ls vast inroads on the pockets Of the
manager. In addition 10 the electric
lights, Mr.. Albaugh has lately added to
his theater a new asbestus curtain and
Erear 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 infammabie
mass Of scenery and properties which
must be always az hand.
Even in these days, when many com
binations travel with carloads Of special
scenery. the theater must have 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
nieces 70 be used in front, thus affording
E variety to those travelling companies
who are willing 10 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
~ 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-
rial scenery, when il is used, 70 the re-
uuiremeuts Of different houses. The
buly 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
Mime. Bernhardt was made in France,
and was so heavy and massive thar 1t
gave no end Of trouble wherever it went.
Fanny DayenpOrt'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 tins respect that | know.
More things have to be hired for a Mans
field engagement than for any othel
three companies. Another very trying
Eeason for the stage carpenter is when
grand opera comes 70 town for a week
and the bill Is changed every night
Seven performances, each one with diff
ferent scenery and properties, involve a
l0t 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 1t battered
and worn. In fact, the best materials
for mautels, cabinets, bric-a-brac Of
large size, even for chairs, is the papier
mache, with which a clever property
man can work such wonders. Il 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 De must meet as
fnany 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 70 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, once had a fyman who
was an old sailor, and found that a nau-
teal career was the best possible train
ing for the business. He was the handi-
est man at getting around / 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
Ikylight, where we need larger openings
ior the escape of smoke, warm air. etc.
The ventilation around a stage must be
quick and thorough, so that when pow
der is used IN volleys all smoke and odor
viii pass quickly off-B. +. Morrison in
Kate Fields Washington.
N. Renan's Regard for Animals.