The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-03
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long coats which reach to within
half foot OF the ground The
taller of the two, Mr.. Henry Irving,
wears light drab-coiored coat and dark
hat; Mr. William Terriss Is attired in a
light hat and dark coat. In the center of
the stage. close To the footlights, stands a
screen, behind the screen is chair To
the left of the stage Is placed small table
with big gilt cross upon ii. On the ex-
tremc right there is another small table
laden with papers, plans of the stage and
letters. At the back of the stage are
grouped numerous male 'supeTs," clad in
ordinary morning costume and wearing
the inevitable bowler" hat which does
not harmonic very well with the huge
spears they carry. Ii Is the scene In the
second act of the late poet laure-
ate's Beckett" "The Meeting of the
Kings" and Mr.. Irving is busily
engaged grouping some fifty people who
are required to pose Rs barons. French
prelates and retaners- When he has done
this there is still something wanted to
complete the picture. Two pages are lack
ing. where's Johnny?" asks Mr.. Irv-
ing. and Johnny" appears. Mr.. Irving
eyes him critically. "I'm afraid you re
too big. Johnny" he says, and Johnny"
disappointedly makes way for a smaller
boy.
Mr. Irving stands we'll in the center of
the stage. absorbing every detail. The
French bishops are huddled too near to-
gether, and he groups them more natur-
ally. Becket's mortal foes, Fitzurse, De
Brito, De Tracy and De Moryille are
moved lower down towards the audience
so that they can go or with greater ef-
feet when ieoring at Rocket
The cameo-eut outlines of Mr. Irving's
fine. serious features are plainly visible as
he turns To look az the wings. II don I
sec any necessity for having these wings
so forward. " be declares. and the wings at
oEee slide gently hack, moved by some in
visible agency. In response ia Mr.. Ir-
wings request for another alteration in
the scenery the speaks with an utter alb
sence OF effort in a voice which can he
heard at the other end Of the theater.
although it does not appear Go he raised
above a conversational rltch) a middle.
aged gentleman attired in froek coat,
his arows carefully swathed in a white
pocket handkerchief comes forward. ward.
stick in hand. and measures the stage With
great sssidusty. When this has been done.
Mr.. Irving sits down with Please
50 on. Then he turns to Mr.. Terriss
''Shall We 80 through il first without the
Dialogue % Yes. F" answers Mr. Tcrriss
aud the whole action of the scene is xons
through. Mr.. Irving and Mr. Terriss ex.
changing their direction OF the various
groups for the assumption ~ their own
parts with an ease aud rspldily born OF
lang practice, Mr.. Irving moving abou,
from group ia group until he is satisfied
with the effect ut the whole. After the
entrances and exits have hsen arranged
for the twentieth time, Henry's magaih.
eeRt voice rings out as Louis enters;
'arothes ct France. what shall ts done with
Iseeketf
When Henry and louis have finished
thelr dialogue and Beckett - about ta on
ter. Ne. Irving suddenly psuses Make
note that before BeCket's entrance there
should be SLOW -aGregoFiaa chant
and aour,siaes Where are the gentle
men wao singf" The gentlemen ubn
sag" eume on and practice the ch.rt
Not quite 80 loud 4" Nj Irving clans h.
hands tShe stage signal for stoppinr pfa-
plsl and decides - try the effect 6easna
the scenes. THAT viii do. very rt,.., -
he declares. as the solemn ehsns steals
slowly IN. and then, meTgtaE the manager
snso the actor. kneels 81 Henry's feet.
At this janetaFe, Mr.. Irving becoaaes the
starv manager sSalu, ana turns 10 tho
group os Henry siols0Negs. ga. gentle
men. are 10 come ~ here. Nou are rather
startled. and listen atteutsve!y. that's the
spirit II II" King Hsnrys followers
faove az, and teeE Al Beckett. who curse,
them. Then come the voices * tAe crowd
nsthant;
Rsssei - the lord Archbishop who hats
N1sasE0od two tlags 20 their faces ioE Ihe haaos
* Sta1.
Hat Mr.. Irving is not satisfied with the
crowd, sl0Se- and more graveiy. please.
/ n a0s thc emphasis on the Lord Arch.
bishop SCI Thas wti 10 very good '
After this there i an interval ana M.
Irving and Mr.. feErsss disappear. Before
they return ths stage carpenters hegin e.
prepare Ter the murder scene in sac las,
set naweer 81 shat appear ~ - can
yss-covssed tFgaks are brought in ard
laid down 30 represent stones in the choir
- Canterbury eatAetsa'.
fefers NJ. irstag retaEas the ~sapers'
Rxoap themselves s'sefG" and anxz~r "a
thesr nawes. When hs reAppeArs they
lo9A a. alm christianity. Ian nos gOang