Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-08-07
STORIES OF
THE STAGE.

They have in London an institution
called the Rehearsal club, which was
established year and q half go upon
an idea furnished by George Alexander
The scheme was to open a place Of rest
ard refreshment for chorus and ballet
girls and actresses of minor import
ance between rehearsals and night per-
formances, when it is not always con-
venient to travel a long distance to
ones home and one is severely taxed
to be compelled to patronize costly
restaurant.
Small and inexpensive foms were
taken at the beginning, and the affair
turned out to be so successful that it
is now possible to open much more
cmmCdious quarters in a more cOnven-
lent locality than the one first chosen
The rooms are open from II in the
morning to s at night, and membership
costs about 60 cents a quarter. Tea,
coffee and light refreshments are serv-
ed at cost
Berlioz, the eminent French compos-
err, had a caustic wit. He could not
endure Bach, and he used to call Han
del "a big hog" a musician of the
stomach" For this he was paid out
by MendelssChn, who declared that af-
ter touching a score of Berlioz, soap
and hot water were necessary.
BerliCz, however, had his musical
hero, and that hero was Beethoven
| Touch Beethoven irreverently and his
ire was kindled There is a certain
passage for the double basses in one of
the masters scores which was at one
time believed to be almost impossible
OF execution.
Now, Habeneck conducted a per-
Torrance of this work in Paris and
gave the passage in question to the
cellos. Berlioz, who was present, met
Habeneck soon after and asked him
when he meant to give the passage as
| Beethoven intended 1t to be given.
Never as long as l live" said Habe-
neck. We'll, We'll wait" replied Ber-
lioz. Don't let it be long"
! Owen Fawcett has written some rec
objections of his experiences with Dion
Boucicault. Among other anecdotes
! the following is not without interest:
| Mr.. Boucicault was an excellent
| stage manager, but very strict. l have
seen him get all the women in a cast
so confused that they could hardly re-
member what they were doing and it
would end in a copious shower of
| tears. He usually had some one in the
cast as particular target that he
would pick out and shoot his sayings
! at. On one occasion he fixed on JOS
! eph Wheelock. He could not at that
| time made a more unfortunate selec-
| ton, for Joe was of a very fiery ma
ture and like gunpowder liable to ex-
| plode at any moment. Well, Joe stood
Dlon's pitching in as long as he posi-
bly, could, for Wheelock was more than
attentive to his business. At last the
explosion came. Joe walked coolly
down to the footlights and. addressing
Mr.. Bucicault, who always directed his
plays from the front of the theatre
said: ''Mr. Boucicault, l have stood
your bullying just as long as intend
to. l am trying to do my best tc
please you, but you will not be salts
fed. Now tell me what you want done
in gentlemanly way and with nc
more insults; otherwise | will come
down where you are and take you and
shut you up in the bull fiddle there
pointing to the bass viol in the or
NACSlia. pOuIlCdull ltl w UeelOCk
alone after that, and they were firm
friends. and Joe was engaged many a
time for his productions.
Piper Findlater, the hero Of Eng.
lands recent border war in India, is
coming to America, it is said in Lon.
don. He comes here, having been en-
gagged by music hall manager for s5O(
a week. He is expected to play on his
pipes the charge and tell the story .o1
the battle with the Afridis when, al
though pierced by several bullets, his
legs useless. he sat on the ground and
played to his fellow highlanders.
Legitimate performers going into
vaudeville are always more or less as
tonished at the number Of signs back