Arizona republican., 1892-10-26
correspo ndence Of THE REPUBLICAN.

SARATOGA, Oct. 1S.-When peOple get
away from nome for the summer and
the first novelty of the surroundings has
worn OF, the restless feeling of wanting
TO be amused asserts itself, and some
times also laudable desire to do some
thing for others finds place in their
minds, and rs picnics and excursions
have palled their hearts, banker after
the heshpots of music and drama,
Then is the time that entertainments for
the benefit Of the fresh air fund, the
children's country week, the little
mothers, or the st. Johns guild or some
other worthy object are thought Of
But the getting up of an entertain
meut that shall be entertaining, the
choosing of talent so as to leave no bit
terness or jealousy and the bringing
the whole thing through the maze of
difficulties to financial success is a
bard and difficult labor, and out of the
abundance of experience | write down
these few directions, hoping they may
be Of help to any one who thinks of or
ganizing an entertainment.
In the first place the organizer must
consult with two or three of the most
influential persons in the place, if
small town, or guests if in hotel.
The person who wishes to get up an
entertainment should always arrange
matters so that he or she is the power
without showing that fact, which re-
quires II good deal of tact, as will be
discovered before the whole thing is
finally settled. A firm but modest de-
meanor is necessary in the matter, and
all disagreements between the rest
should be referred to the manager fo-
arbitration.
There is in small towns usually pub
lie hall, but never take church if pos
sible to obtain any other place large
enough, even if it has to be somebody's
barn, nicely decorated for the occasion.
There is, rs there should be, feeling
that makes hearty laugh or genial
applause seem ont of place, and the
sacredness of the church throws pail
over the spirits of audience and players
Hotels have a ballroom, or the dining
room can be utilized.
Having secured place for the enter
tainment, the question of what it is to be
should be fully decided before the final
arrangement of the impromptu stage
should be made, as il little play is
given there will need to be some stage
setting, whereas, if only a concert.
nothing but the curtain is required. III
making out programme there should
he as great n variety of talent ne posi-
bic, and if in town local talent should
be employed as largely as possible, as it
will interest the people more. There
should be as many persons on the pro-
granmc as can possibly be given parts.
for the reason that each person, no mat
ter who, is sure to have friends who will
come to see him succeed and enemies to
rejoice IN shortcomings, and both classes
FL the fund, and money is wha: the
manager is after.
Ie It is possible TO have tablcaa or
two with little children in them, or to
have any clever children to sing, dance
or play upon any instrument, or to re-
cite, i: is always well, as they look pretty
and appeal to every ones heart irres;st-
ably, and their very mistakes and fail
uccs are attractive, and every one has
lot OF cousins, sisters and aunts, and as
the affair is for charity il should he
firmly insisted upon that tho-o to 10
complimentary tickets.
- in q snail place the price should
be low, as the inhabitants cannot afford
TO pay high prices; if in large hotel, O.:
place like Narragansett, Newport, Sara
toga or Long Branch, higher prices can
be charged, and there are always enough
clever young ladies and amateurs of
considerable talent and pretty children
TO make q show far better than the
scrubby theatrical performances ofteu
inflicted upon tho suffering visitors by
poor travelling companies, which the
summer visitors gladly par-oAizo out Of
sheer cnnui.
II, then, the manager wishes to Or
EaHizc such q performance he must first
inquire about cautiously for few days
until he gets an idea Of what available
talent there is at hand, and then make
SIRE that he can get place. Next be
gin openly by trying to get the leading
people," as aforesaid, interested; then
let it simmer a few days more until
everybody is talking about it, When it
has reached this period it is well to see
the talent" G2d find out just who you
can get and what they can do. If there
are any fairly good amateurs try l.,
plan for a good little one act comedy.
There are numbers of them requiring
from two to half dozen characters.
That is q good thing to have first on the
programme.
Next try and find a quartet, pianist,
violin and flute soloist and some
one who plays the banjo. Singers of
moro or less ability are plentiful, and in
these days it is very easy to find some
young society lady who can do genteel
and graceful serpentine or shawl dance
II possible to avoid it, do not infict an
Clocutionist upon your public. If you
can get few pretty children to do
minuet, try it by all means, and get all
the children you can on your programme
on general principles. Not so much is
expected of them, and they always
please and everything they do is pro
nounced 'just too cunning for any.
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