The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-29
GOOD "SHAPES" PREVAIL.
Choosing Ballet for the Ever-Pres-
ent Black Crook.

"Oh, sir!"
snow try it again-can't you do it?
Bow low, and you needn't be afraid of
bowling too low. Do it like this"-zand
then Manager McCarty walked over to the
bashful couple near the center OF the
arc of pleasant swains and lasses who were
being put through the PAGES" on the
stage of Keith's Opera House this noon, ii
being the initial rehearsal of the chosen
few who were so fortunate as TO be select
ed from the $50 applicants who wished to
participate in the mammoth production
of 1.-The Black Crook" next week. The
reason why there were so many applica-
tions was because the management of
the show, which is Eugene Tompkins'
original-cast production, advertised
two days for extra people for the ballet
required for this great production. They
were to be on hand at the theater at IL
O'Clock this forenoon, and they were there
There were 75 girls. all of them ingenues,
who "posed" for Mr.. McCarty's delecta-
tion. They were old and young;
some were coy, especially the old
ones, and all were coryphees.
1t took Larry" who by the way is
Lawrence j. McCarty, for II years stage
manager of the Boston Theater and next
ment of spectacular diversions,
about 20 minutes to weed out the
half from the wheat. One "dear old girl''.
but she wasn't, although she gave,
ling announcement that she was
in the ballet of the first
"Black Crook" in Boston. There was
har
said she was with the Baker Opera Com
pany when chorus girl was sup
posed to do the "dance act," and
she said she was the principal in the
scrimmage, in Cleveland, o., between the
Baker and Wilbur opera companies
but she didn't aft" There
was mysterious young girl,
who is a very good-looker, and who was
chaperoned by a grayhaired lady, said to
be her aunt, who was chosen. She
stands on the o. p. side on
the end. 1t is stated that
she is wealthy and an aspirant for drama
tic honors and this is her first tree
The old lady stayed all through
the rehearsal and iealously watched
all that was done, expecting
evidently, that there would be somethin q
questionable put to her charge in the
the way of interrogation OF a request to
show personally that she had the requi-
sites as to outline. But Brother McCarty
never asks questions. He has the intui-
tive faculty of seeing through dress, and
in all his experience has never been
obliged to ask AT applicant
to do anything immodest. In
fact, he says that is the erron-
eous impression which the public at
large has gained from cheap shows and
this is not a "living picture" production.
The % young ladies selected
today - and they are are all
"young" are exceptionally fitted
for their parts. They may be seen going
to and from their homes every day on
their shopping tours, and are not obliged
to resort TO tho ballet for
living. They are truly local girls
OF good parentage and the novelty pre-
sented by these semi occasional opportu-
mites to "act" is the only excuse for their
being there.
Manager Fynes was on hand TO look
after the interest OF proprietor Keith and
to see that everything went off all right.
lie said that the usual number OF freaks"
had presented themselves. but there was
an absence of the skeletons" TO be
found in Boston and New York. where
women make il business to stand
in readiness to go on in the
ballet, having no other recommendation.
"As soon rs the public understands"
said he, "that this production of The
Black Crook Is to be given with the
metropolitan cast and with more persons,
there being 200 Oh the stage, ana with
more accessories in the way OF strong prop
critics than New York ever had, they
will see that we mean business. In fact,
this immense thoster will be taxed TO
handle 1t ALL"
Among the young men who will play
peasant, guard, gentleman" etc, next
week Ia one who is worth n fortune,
"supes" nowhere else and does it for
sport.
There will be another rehearsal Sunday,
when flights" will be made to fit, and at
II o'clocP Monde -auoop dress
reneSTerI