The times., 1899-03-19

get no sketch to suit us; we have been in
lyceum work but found ii slow and unin
teresting. Our present position is pleas
ant, although we are forced to bury a
portion of our ambition for the purpose OF
resurrecting popular airs. ] play seventeen
different instruments myself while some OF
the others can add a half dozen more to
their lists OF accomplishments. We learn
new ones each year and as yet see no pros
pect of an ending
James X. Hackett invited Times man
back TO his dressing-room the other night
in order that the critic might see him
make those rapid changes from Rudolf to
Rassendyll and back again which have
been so much commented upon. After a
brief talk upon the merits of the play. Mr..
Hackett went on the stage and turned his
visitor over to his dresser, a flne-looking
young fellow. who has been engaged es-
pecially 10 assist the star in his assump-
tion of the dual role. Together the news
paper man and the valet walked TO the
right wings-which are the left TO an au-
dience-and there MIR. Hackett's assistant
began work at a small table. "The next
two costumings are not especially quick"
be said, 'as full minute is given for their
accomplishment. But the two following
these must be done in twenty seconds
each. During that time Mr.. Hackett as
the King must run through this side trap
near which he is hidden from the house
with screen, must put on a new make
up, must remove every garment excepting
his trousers and boots and must substitute
other articles for even his rings and his
gold tassels.
Il begin TO get ready for him long before
The time of his exit. Here are the plain
ornaments ne wears as the Englishman and
there the extra garments" The dresser
laid a number of toilet utensils about the
table in orderly array and adjusted the ring
of electric lights about a mirror near. An
instant later the doors of the trap parted,
revealing glimpse of the stage, and Mr..
Hackett ran out clothed as the king. In
a moment he was at the stand and had un
buttoned his coat. This garment was
pulled off inside out and another substl-
tuted. Then, while the assistant was re-
moving tassels from his boots and placing
a kerchief about his neck, the star seized
his red beard and pulled it away, robbed
himself of his mustache in the same man
ner and hastily rubbed off a portion of
the makeup that made his eyes seem small
and gave his face lines of dissipation.
Eighteen second from the time of his exit
Mr.. Hackett was ready to enter again as
Rassendyll.
The moment he was gone the dresser be-
gan work once more. The discarded mus
tache was wet with glue and the car hooks
on the beard Strengthened: the coat was
turned rightside out and the ring put back
In place. Two sticks OF grease paint were
held to the hot light globes. A second af-
ter. Mr.. Hackett once more made his ap
pearance and again repeated his hasty
change. This time the dresser provided
him with new shirt front while the star
added lines and hair to his face. Then
Mr.. Hackett slipped through tie trap door
and into place behind the screen. Less
than a minute after the exist of Rass an
dyll one of the players pulled away this
article of furniture-which had besn p aced
around the drunken King. His Majesty
was there asleep. The curtain fell. Seven
calls were given and when Mr.. Hackett re-
Joined The Times man, after three min
utes' rest, he was still painting violently as
a result of his exertion. Come 10 my
room-I want you to tell me what you
think of that" said he.
.-Strike," exclaimed the stage manager
And the difficult scene WAS over.