The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-10
"reminiscences
OF PETER JACKSON
Scenes In the Stage Life Of the Well
Known Door-Keepet
AN ECCENTRIC PERFORMANCE.
The Scene Carpenter Dining While
Massaneifio Dies-Some Famous
Actors who Have Appeared
nj the Marshall Theatre.

well expect by the grace OF MS eAe'h-
MARY character to receive the compli-
mentary entrance from his namesake-
The Saint who Is believed to keep the
Celestial gate--was wont TO tell with
only a slight appreciation OF the humor
some OF his "reminiscences Of the old
Marshall Theatre that has remained IA
nous I'm histrionic traditions because It's
stock company was for a period the
school where some OF the-famous actors
learned the mimic art. As the captain
OF the supernumeraries, Jackson had
served on the same night in opposing
armies under Macbeth and Malcolm AD-
bernathy. or Brutus and Octavus. car
ried halberd under Richard III. and
worn the red rose or the white with the
same loyalty in the same war. HIS po-
sition demanded a knowledge OF stage
business, perfect familiarity WIN me
'scene plot" the Emusic plot" the pro
perry plot" and every other division OF the
elemental constituents OF performance,
besides constant touch with the direc-
tions from the prompt side" Besides
all this, and still more difficult he had
to command the ballet, which is the
technical term for the female rupers,
and often perform the delicate task 10
make the ladies' scream properly at the
cue-even 'if II was necessary 20 pinch
them" as some stage managers express
Ell. When coryphees, fairies or amazons
on the stage are conscious Of the admi-
ration OF the juincsse doree IN the audi
ence they are apt 10 rise TO sense OF
importance that makes authority tumble.
But Captain Jackson was a man OF
blended amiahility and sternness and it
was rare that his DEGREES were ques-
toned.
THE PROFESSION.
Like every other business. the "profes-
SION Is always liable TO a clash be-
tween the various elements. and drama
Is not always as harmonious behind the
scenes as IL appears from the front. 1t
Is fact. though almost inconceivable
TO the uninitiated. that the most rap
turous lovers in breathing the fondest
vows TO each other AMI to Heaven often
wish each other in the other place. SUI
pers are exposed 10 many annoyances,
such as being forced TO wear n Roman
helmet and Scotch kilt or carry an
English baron's banner In Roman pa
geant. Captain Jackson had faithful
follower in the person OF one OF the fire.
men who had served him In the wars of
the roses. in Metamora, the Naiad Queen
and many other perils OF the stage.
He related how Jackson. who had
mortal aversion TO the least approach 10
a speaking part. was forced by circum-
stances 10 declaim single line on the
memorable occasion when Wilkes Booth
for the first time appeared under his
own name AMI showed for the first time
the preliminary scfntiIlation of a STAR
playing the part OF Richmond to his
brother Edwn's Richard. The scene,
which introduces the splendid one be-
tween Gloster and Anne. went off as fol-
lows:
and set II down.
jackson presenting halberd)-"Stand
back my Lord and let the coffin pass
Booth. Striking down the halberd with
his sword)-"Slave advance thy halberd
lower than my breast. or by Saint Paul
Ill"-but the rest Of the lines were
drowned in burst OF applause. 1t was
a compliment to Capt. Jackson's sup
posed ambition to advance in the profess
sion and shrill voice from the gallery
called Go It. Capt. you'll be star
sure"
AN ECCENTRIC PERFORMANCE
One Of the most eccentric performances
at the Marshall Theatre during the civil
war was that of Massaneillo with Dor
sey Ogden as the star and the manager
both at an effort i'm stage equipment and
scenery that was announced as unparral-
lelled and gorgeous land in fact must be
seen to be appreciated.
The town had been wrought up to the
expectation Of something phenomenal and
especially the unprecedented spectacle
OF Vesuyus In a state of active eruption
by night and for this which was the final
climax OF the play In which Massaneillo
performs his dying act the stage car
penter had labored with an inspiration
worthy of so great a task AS the cur
tain went up I'm the last act that func-
tionary conscious of a noble work well
performed but wcaried with his labors re-
tired 10 a quiet perch In the rear of the
stage and sought refreshment In beer
and bacon. The crowded theatre had
responded with generous applause 10 each
hit and Ogden came up 20 the climax
like an eminent American tragedian. then
the scene opened showing a view of tho
Pay OF Naples and the volcano. stage
hand pulled the line for the eruption TO
open and three assistants set off the red
fire the audience began to applaud the
diving hero. but the smoke and fire in the |
FIRE drum" curled down. instead of up
ward the agonized property man pulled |
another cord and the drop" that rep !
resented the Pay OF Naples came down |
by the run" as a sailor would say |
and. as Jackson's partner told IT, dis |
played 70 the aston ished gaze Of the tear |
full audience the figure of the scene car |
penter In red flannel shirt perched on /
the top of several property boxes, serene
ly engaged on a sumptpous repast of ba-
con and csbbage and In the act OF lifting |
a bottle of beer TO his lips his EXPIRES |
sive figure Illuminated by six pans of red |
fire and with the appropriate music OF /
the opers Of Massaniello performed by |
the orchestra 20 help the scene which as
per advei tised was on such scale OF /
magnifoence that 1t must be seen to be
appreciated"
AN IMPISH BOY.
There was a demon call boy attached |
20 the company at one time who was apt |
TO play prank whenever he got n
chance. and when the drama of ''Ali Baba
or the Forty Thieves was billed in the
usual style during the war by nrintnE |
the words on board like bulletin OF
news. he stole the pot. and brush and
inserted what he considered an extra ad.
Dorsey Ogden being informed that a
large and deeply interested crowd was
studying hts poster I'm front came down |
In his gorgeous dressing gown 10 view
the prospect Of house full Of Confed- |
crate money and congratuisting himself |
on having composed SO alluring a blazon
OF his play but what his horror 10 |
discover that the line interpolated was
ito be performed by forty real thieves"
The next morning ribald editor with
affected gravity compiimented the man
ager ION his enterprise in selecting a
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