The morning call., 1894-09-22
STAGE SCENERY.
A Business That Requires Peculiar
Inventive Genius.


The making of stage scenery and accessories
has not only become a business of much magni-
tude, but 1t has developed largely peculiar in
ventIve genius, made unique field for the ex-
ercise of superior artistic talent and facility.
and brought into play a high order OF meehani-
cal skill. This entirely independent of the reg
ular artists and artisans OF the great play
houses.
From one studio" in New York. devoted to
tie painting, modelling and fabricaIing of such
scenery aud furniture. says the SUM- large
proportion OF the travelling theatrical comUa-
mes oil ne country obtain The equipments for
their productions. and so completely have The
experience ana observation of the artist who
owns this studio and directs its affairs SuboTdi-
mated space and bulk 10 the requirements OF
Stage setting hat the entire scenic outfit Of
company. drops" wings" borders" aud
even furniture, may be carried In ordinary
wardrobe trunks. 1t has made The once ap-
paiilns liens OF express charges, carriage, extra
baggage and freight OF no Importance, for
llneraut troupe that it formerly required sDe-
cal baEgage-cars and scenery trucks 10 do
and these expenses ran veIy high up into the
hundreds OF dollars for the season.
The invention, If such it may be called Is
simply lie substitution Of aniline DYES for min
eIal pigments in the c0loTs used on the cauv s.
The thin but brilliant aniline tints become yir-
tually part OF the canvas Itself. The scenery
can be folded without Injury 10 its effect and
mace 10 accommodate It's IL TO the convenience
OF the manager in TRANSPORTATION. and rnauiDu-
lated 10 the capacity or resources Of the stage
upon which II IS 10 be used. whereas a canvas
spread Win color IN tie Old-lime way would
qulcNy part WIN It's decorated surface and
become motued aud meaningless eXDause OF
cloth II not kept in ciIcumspect position in
transit by cumbersome frames and unbending
braces.
he process Of equipping a "show'' with i,s
scenery and stage fittings is not only econo-
miZed IN space and cost of TRANSFORMATION hut
II has economical 10 the charges for canvas
and settings 10 such an extent that scarcely A
town or village large enough 10 boast of lis
town hall or an "Opera-bOuse" has nor lis CAV
and comprehensive complement OF stock seen
cry, furniture and stage accessOrie- To his
system of theatrical Quitting Is also du. The
great increase In the number OF travelling
shows OF all kinds, and so, perhaps, II NAV not
be said 10 have added much to the public
benefit.
To one who has an hour to snare nothing
could De more Interesting than a visit 10 this
unlQu- studio and dramatic Outitting-SboU
Anything that any stage Carpenter can do.
with all his facilities, we can do here ana give
hin points" the attendant Will say. and the
space, and the clatieT OF hammer ana the swish
OF plane are sufficient 10 convince one that he
knows what he Is talking about. He tells YOU
that In the workshop The ant departments
are upstairs. Up one flight a we'll known mod
eler In clay Is tashlODlng with a def h nj
a beautiful design. Taken aud cast IN bronze
IL would excite admiration and command price
but IL IS simply a desigul for a mold INTO which
plastic papier mache Is TO be pressed and
maulpula ed. 10 become later TIE o namenta.
tlon and furnishing of stage interior which
III IT'S SbiNluE SiiL ana dItsIc ELABORATION. Will
appear 10 the spectator as a costly evidence of
some masters devotion TO the truth of his
tory and knowleGge OF that particular dramas
time. Some of the most bewiIdeTlng. beautiful
aud elaborate stage settings-apparrntIy the
result of IN outlay of thousands of dollars to
effect-that have ever been seen in Ihis city
came from the studio and were simply papier
mache and gilt.
Here, slowed away, but easy of access, are
the molds forfurniture and decorations IN vogue
during any Century the customs and passions
OF Whlch the drama OF Today may have the -
suTance TO attempt 10 reproduce. and at anv
reasonable notice play can be fitted with all
that IS necessary IN that line
Up another flight Is the studio proper, an i'm
menSe room, fitted with endless ropes aud
tackle, crell wheels ana swinging bridges Hail.
a dozen artists are busy with the brush, some
perc he'd high on bridges, some swinging nearer
the Moor, some on tie floor, each putting on
Canvas The subject assigned him. Among these
artists are those whose names are well known
as painters and illustrators, yet who o motor
cannot afford to-scorn the nice remuneration
this branch OF art uts in their way. Like the
up-to-date theatrical painter and rngraver, the
proprietor of this studio does not seem to think
any artist too good 10 employ III his work.