The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-19
NOT EVEN Ills nose
NOTHING SMALL ABOUT MIR. MANS.
FIELDS PRODUCTION OF CY-
RANO DE BERGERAC
MANAGERS ARE INcREDULoUs
Personal Representative That
They Must Have the Stage Clear
of Everything but the Walls,
Lights and Drop Curtains-The
Magnitude of the Production.

There nave been occasional indications
OF the coming of Richard Mansfield in the
way of fitting pages from the prolific
press agent Last week the local repre-
sentative Of a railroad received word that
the great actors special train Of eight
cars would be hauled, per freshly signed
contract, over 1900 miles of their road.
Then programme, cast of sixty-four
characters and land others ad lib, stray
ed into the print shop Of that publication.
The transfer, company got perempto-y
word to have seventeen scene trucks ready
In the sequence Of things, and people, Mr..
Mansfeld's personal representative, Mr.
Paul Wilstack, came yesterday to lend
his persuasions to the exigencies of the
situation suggested by ST. Paul and his
star coming together.
1T is amusing to note the incredulity
with which my. statements about Mr.
Mansfields organization and equipment
are received even by those who don't
know me- said Mr. Wilstack. 1.-THE pub
lie is naturally sceptical and the
dramatic editor is entitled to his mer-
curial moods when approached on an
errand Of separating him from his space
but one has right to expect credence
from the staff Of the theater. Half the
time my representations as to the extern
siveness OF Mr.. Mansf1elds Organization
and the quantities Of scenery, costumes
and horses he brings are met with deprs-
l$catory smilessor patronage of a harrow.
ing type.
When I venture to remind the local
manager that every yard and stick Of his
scenery must be got Off the stage and out
of the house for Mr.. Mansfield engage
ment. he pats me on the knee and remarks
playfully, That's all right, my boy. 1t won't
disturb you against the back wall Then
1 hasten to assure him that 1t will. That
four car loads Of trunks and crates.
furniture and properties, drops and fat
pieces tolerate no infringement. That we
must have the stage clear Of everything
but walls, lights and drop curtain. An
other pat on the knee. A gentle reminder
sthatethe manager was at the head Of his
theater before I had Toasted on the g1ories
of Uncle Tom for the first time.
Another thing they balk at Is our order
to have thirty-five extra stage hands to
assist the corps which Mr.. Mansfield
ing. If he's In a revolving office chair
he studies the opposite side Of the office.
By the back of his head 1 know that he
Is smiling 1 try to insist. But you'll
have them?' 'Thirty-five? Yes thirty
five. They're most important. With their
assistance Mr.. Mansfleld's workmen will
require nine hours to put CyranO on the
stage More suppressed smile. You can
fancy that my emotions are in violent
struggle between anger and foolishness.
Now, see here, he says, don't worry.
My stage force has been handling shows
for more years than there are men, There
are eight stage hands when all are pres
ent. The manager has to be argued and
almost bullied into belief.
cit Is assumed that Mr.. Mansfield has
cut somewhere to play on this widely dis
tributed tour. But if there Is one fact
we want to drive home to the belief of
the people it is that Cyrano will be given
here with tho Identical company and
scenery that helped distinguish the origi-
nal success in New York. Perhaps you
bear out the assertion that 1t Is unusual
for ST. Paul to have a great and unique
success In the first eight months of Its
life with original company and equip
ment?
There are," he continued. about los
on the travelling list. OF those ninety ap-
pear in the scene, and in addition some
sixty supernumeraries who are rehearsed
daily by Mr.. Mansfield's super captain,
The others are important contributors to
the results seen by the audience There Is
the business staff of five. On the stage
is the stage director and his numerous
corps, which includes the call boy, the
master of transportation, the super cap
tain. two calcium men, an electrician, the
hostler, the property man, two carpenters
and four scene handlers Mr.. Mansfield
has his valet at the hotel and his dresser
at the theater. On his private car are the
cook and porter"