The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-22
PLUMBERS
TIE ART OF ACTING.
Some Simple Stage Directions Laid Down
by the Gifted Boucicault.
IL 4 L


by the Gifted Boucicault.
Special Correspondence.
NEW YORK, March 11.-''As tho painter
and the sculptor initiate on canvas or in
stonc-that is, the figures of persons or
objects il repose-so the actor initiates on
the stage nature in action" wero the
words oi;Nn spoken to lis pupils by the
late DioN Boucicault, the Shakespeare of
the nineteenth century
He taught his pupils that the rudiments
of the art of acting were gait gesture and
speech. He taught them to walk with
book on their heads until they could carry
it perfectly balanced, proof of a good
carriage. On entering the stage use the
foot away from the audience, thus throw
ing tho body in full view on the entrance
When al actor and actress walk across the
stage together, the actress should be near
er tho fudiencC, the actor q step ahead of
her. II she wear a train, 1T will be easier
for the1l to turn with grace. In making
turn take a step to one side and do not
movo Around on the ball of the foot. In
sitting down place the right foot so that
all the weight will be upon it, place the
left q little in front of it and sink into
tho chHir with side movement then turn
to the front.
In regard to gesture, forget you have
hands and feet. Do not 1ldget. Remain
quiet. When not called upon for action,
stand or sit with as much grace and ease
as possible, Use the hand nearest an OBJ
ject, such as a letter, when it is necessary
to pass it. Take it from one hand to the
other, never moving the arm across the
body. In making a movement with the
arms make it from tho shoulder-not
from the elbow, as it stunts graceful
motion.
A professional of ability listens with
natural attention to tho scene that is be-
ing enacted. AS a rule, the amateur starts
into action only when he speaks and re-
lapses into utter indifference when silent.
When one has become good listener, one
has taken an important step in the art of
acting, as significant rs the artistic utter
anCe of tho emotions. Elocuton was
taught when pupils wero supposed to have
obtained control of the stage as all actor
or actress. AS Boucicault said, 1T can
not hurt you now" Action should always
precode speech, so it stands to reason clo-
cution should be taught last and not first.
Elocution teaches how to manage the
voice how and when to take breath and
the few conventional gestures that must
occasionally relieve speech. Such a process
can never produce an actor. A finished
actor will not let you feel you can proph
esy what he will say and do under certain
circumstances. When bound by an IRON
clad evolutionary tuition, passion becomes
vohomcnoe; gesture may be correct, but 1T
is not spontaneous; expression may be ad-
mirable but not inspiring. The elocu-
tionist is tho hack of n conventional art.
Scarcely pupil ever went to Boucicault
who did not know the potion scene' .
from Romeo and Juliet The great 40
tor would let tho aspirant rant through
the scene, and il he did not give grunt
and say, go home and make pies, my
DEAR" he would hand her typewritten
scene and soy, If you can do this 1 can
make an actress of you" Scene, draw
ing room, which young girl enters. She
is expecting a visit from her lover; OK
hibits impatience; sits down at a work Ia
bic; selects needework; proceeds to en-
ploy herself listens; Il bell rings. 1t is he'll
Runs to the door, receives letter; reads;
is disappointed by its contents; angry; re-
sunles work with assumed indifference;
passes through the various forms of hui
NOR, ending with burst Of tears.
This whole scene was in pnntomime.
No implements such as thread, needle,
thimble or letter was the actress allowed.
All of us could spout" Shakespeare, but
it took us month to do that simple scene
naturally The French method of acting
is to address a soliloquy to the audience.
In England and America the actor ignores
tho spectators. The latter is certainly the
moro natural method. How many ANA
tours in pathetic scene would be willing
to stake their honor that they could secure
a signal triumph if they could weep real
wet tears! The great actor carries you
with him in his grief, but he does not
make himself incohcrent by natural sobs.
His art is so exquisite he convinces you
all he assumes is natural.
MAUDE JAMES Chiffon.