The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-10-10
Iro BE CONTINUED
PLAYING FOR THE QUEEN.
How Preparations Are Made for Perform
ances at Windsor Castle,


ances at Windsor Castle.
Playing before the queen by royal
command is the highest desire of every
English follower of the stage who de-
sires 10 reach the topmost round in the
ladder of fame" The queen has had
but few performances held before her
OF late years, and the notice in each
case has been very short.
When the manager of company
has been notified to appear with his
players or singers for the royal pleas
ure, he Immediately hastens TO Windsor
with his scenic artists and stage me-
chanics TO make ready for the per-
Torrance. The temporary stage and
theater is constructed and the per-
formers have special rehearsals. The
general members of the company are
also given n thorough coaching il an
opera is TO be produced, as the queen is
very critical.
The stage is erected at Waterloo
chamber-that being the apartment
generally used for the purpose-the au-
ditorium constructed, the royal and
other seats arranged according 10 pre-
else instructions, and the chamber
decorated with floral and other adorn-
ments. During these preparations in
the castle those of the princes and priu-
cesses who happen TO be there -,.e-
quently look in and aSsist-their aid
not being limited TO suggestions and
directions, but sometimes extending 10
moving with their own hands this or
that piece of furniture or decoration
TO Judge how best il should be placed
The queen also may drop in" to inspect
progress, much to the trepidation OF
officials and worlxmen, for all of whom
these preparations are an anxious
operation; for her majesty has keen
Judgment and critical and artistic
eye, and without any warning may
order all that has been done 20 be un.
done.
Simultaneous with this work nu.
merous rooms are being got ready for
the coming company, while the royal
chefs and their assistants are kept busy
with preparations in their department.
At the performance the queens chair
faces the center OF the stage, slightly IN
advance of all other seats. Right and
left are chairs for the members of the
royal family. and behind these are seats
for the ladies and gentlemen of the
household and invited guests.
rich and beautiful programme is
provided for her majesty; less elaborate
but yet dainty, artistic programmes
being supplied for the rest of the au-
diencc. Then the performance pro-
ceeds. The queen always leads the ap
plause, and the others present take the
cue from her action.
beginning generally at ten o'clock,
after the late royal dinner. these per-
formanccs conclude about midnight,
and then there is n rush for the good
things beautifully laid out IN the sew
ornl supper-rooms improvsed for the
occasion. The principals, having been
presented TO her majesty, sup in one
apartment with such OF the gentlemen
OF the household MS care 10 join THEM;
the rest in other rooms, according 20
the grades and distinctions preserved.
The special trains for the return
home are TO leave at one o'clock. even
though it be Sunday morning. as II
several times has been. and for time
the thoroughfares are alive with the
visitors hurrying 10 the station In royal
carriages or on foot. Many OF the
higher officials in the castle accom-
pany the party, and the leavc-taSing is
always cordial and sometimes just
trifle hilarious. In n day or two few
rings and brooches bearing the royal
monogram-the much-beloved "V. r."
will los forwarded 20 the chief per-
formers, and so ends function never
forgotten by those who take part in
it.-St. Louis Republic.