Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-24
'DETESTABLE EgINGS.
"KNoCKERS," GENERAL
LY KNOWN AS "BACKCAPPERS."
How Some Men and Women In the Pro-
fession Buzz the Managers Ear-An II
Iustration In Which Barry Sullivan Wal
the Central Figure.

1ustration In Which Barry SULLIVAN "ai
the Central Figure.
Somebody once remarked that there arc
three kinds Of people-men, women and
actors. Certainly the dramatic profession,
as class, is totally distinct from all other
classes There are more peculiarities and
superstitions connected with it and moro
distinct types of character in its forces
than one would suppose possible in line
of effort that should be followed only by
the intellectually inclined. Good men and
bad men can be found in the ranks Of ev-
cry calling, but there is one type Of char
actcr that originated in the dramatic pro-
fession, and that is the "knocker." Until
recently the 'knocker" was known only
to the theatrical profession and confined
his labors entirely to the people Of the the
ater
The "knocker" is one who states I'M.
truths, that is apparent, but let me make
1t % little bit clearer. The "knocker'' is
ono who by some peculiar art or device
watches to get you into bad reputc. The
"knocker' always is despised and Stunned
by those who thoroughly know him; hut,
like all persons who deal in nebulous mat
tiers, KNOCKERS are difficult to convict
Almost every theatrical company has at
least one "lnocker'' in its ranks, while
the manager of successful theater has a
whole army OF them to contend with
The "knocker" is 'backcapper'-
plain English, one who docs as much in
Jury as he can to men who, his poor in
stincts tell him, arc his supcriors. If a
person is discharged from a company, it is
limited that the ''knocker" has been at
work, and all sorts Of explanations are
made in tho attempt to keep secret the
causes which led to the discharge Grim
,inations and denominations are INDUCED
lin, wherein Mr.. Smith is accused Of hav-
ing ''queored" Miss jones' and Actor
Smith and Actress Jones are given tenn
porary Importance which is quickly for
gotten.
who cares for SMITH"
Miss Jones'"
"Who under the sun is Miss Jones? The
manager could get 90 persons in three
hours notice, but
And there's tho but"
The ''knocker' has so got the managers
ear that tho manager discharges either
Smith or Jones without the slightest cause
and wholly because of the knockers"
diplomacy. Diplomacy, by the way, is a
mild word to use in this connection.
There are all sorts and conditions of
knockers" First is the man who gets
the ear of the manager and is constantly
telling that Il certain person in the com
pany is "goodr' very goodl' excel
lentr' He is thoroughly in earnest, to
all appearances, and keeps up his praise so
long and SO pcrsistently that the manager
gets disgusted-probably suspicious-and
the actor is discharged. Some "knOcllCrS"
work in a diamctricaliy opposite way.
They say out and out that such an actor
or actress is bad. But this is only when a
relationship of familiarity has hecn estab-
lished between tho "knockCr' and the
manager. Next comes the insinuating
"kuockcr" He usually wears a placid
smile Whenever the name of the person
whom he wishes to knock is mentioned.
He will shrug his shoulders and murmur:
Yes, he is good--that is, L think so
Ahcmp' This often sets the manager
thinking, and II only remains for the
"knockcr" TO draw his attention 20 the
good man. on one of his of nights to
finish the work
Then johnny" goes marching homo.
\ Another interesting specimen of the
"kfiGckcr' tribe is the man who works on
Eupcrsttions. The largo majority of stage
people are supcrstitious, and the "insinu-
uting knociicr' has simply to drop n hint
that Mr. So-and SO is Jonah" quoting
y few instances Of his hard luck, and an
other head goes under tho managerial
guillotinc, for no manager wants u 10
nah" in the company. Above all, if bad
business is being done, the slightest word
will have tho desired effect
Barry Sullivan, the celebrated English
tragcdian, discharged tho best leading
man he ever had through the influence of
"knoClor."
Sullivan opened at the Alexandria thea
ter in Liverpool with an elaborate revival
of Richard Ill" Tho tragodf;tn prided
himself on his performance of Glostcr and
made extensive preparations to dress the
part correctly. a new suit of armor was
one of tho many now things he purchased
for the production. After tho performance
was over Sullivan, who was delighted with
his success, was sitting in his dressing
room, still dressed in his armor, when Mr.,
"knockcr," unusually apropos Of his
name, knocked for admittance.
Mr. Sullivan" said tho willy one, 81
hope you will pardon mo for disturbing
you, but l wished to say how pleased l
was that everything turned out all right !"
Sullivan looked up.
II don't understand" he said.
Tho "knocker'' smiled as he spoke again.
I "Oh, no one would know it, sir 1t fits
beautifully, just as ii it had been made for
you"
Sullivan YVES pcrplexed. He looked
again at the speaker and asked him in
language moro forcible than polite what
he meant
why, the armor, said the "knocker."
well, what about it?' demanded Mr..
Sullivan.
well, sir, don't believe he meant any
harm, but MIR. coDSded to me
though he made me promise not to speak
of it-that ho loaned it to you for the
night"
The air was blue for a few moments,
aud it was said that the sulphur in the
room furnished the armor worn by the
traaedian TO such an extent that he never
wore it again.
| He rushed blindly out of the room upon
the stage and roared out for his leading
man.
The leading man had gone to his hotel.
| Gone to his hotel, eh?" cried the in
ft.riated actor Come here.'' he cried to
the property boy, who was standing near
by.
The property boy approached
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