The age-herald., 1900-04-01

Sllrugans had decided to have a "show." Or, to express it in more elegant language, they wene going to give a theatrical per- formances" These performances were great events in the history of the club, so the announcement created quite stir. The time had not been set. but the company playwright had been instructed to have 9 play written and ready in two weeks. So it could not be far off. ~
 Leading up to the performance itself there are three subjucts to consider, the first of which is s..-s. . a
 THE PLAY
 The play in which the Skrugans appeared was always original; and. some et1paes full 2f stfagedy, ''bood and thunder,' our folks called it, and were often written un- der very trying circumstances. The author, who fully understood what a responsIbflity rested on him, would be struggling along with an unfinished ''plot" when his ideas would be all driven from his head by the sudden appearance, perhaps, of gDoc, who had coma to make some Suggestions" Aft CT driving him away the now weary, dis tracted author would again take up his pen and try to "hatch" another plot" Or, per- haps. the Interruptions, which were many, were made in some other way Anyway. they were made. After about a. week of this the plot would be contested. and the author with a feeling of triumph, would then proceed to fill in the remaining week with furious writing. striving to leave the play finished within fine specified time. Of course these plays were necessarily very rough and without much sense to them, but they served the purpose.
 There were always seven characters in them. to agree with the number of members in the club G4engthy not having been ad- mitted at this time>. and were fitted as we'll possible to their abilities.
 THE THEATRE.
 The theatre was the garret of fathers house, and mother always looked forward with dread to the time when gave a performance fhere About month before the date of the show, the company would take possession of the place and a general clearing up would result. The stage re- ceiyed the most attention, and that small space was the scene of great hustle and activity. As the ceiling of the garret was very low, we could not have our stage raised but about foot It was about twelve feet long and ten feet deep-very small you will think but it served very well for our small company.
 As this was not the first performance, the Skrugars had given they did not need to worry about scenery, for they had very complete set for so small a company. There were two roller curtains, the large painted drop-curtain, and the street curtain, two stationary wings and four movable ones, the latter belonging to the wood, scene, which consisted of a bridge with a back ground of trees. Then there was kitchen interior, consisting of seven sections. The flies were nothing but strips of white cloth.
 The dressing-room was simply the space back of the stage, and 1t was pretty we'll filled up with trunks and costumes. of which we had a great stock.
 Then there were the "boxes," little en- closed spaces at each end of the stage. in front, capable of holding two or three per- sons. However, they were not much used. REnEARsGNG.
 The rehearsals, proceeding the presenta- tion, were generally more full of fun than work. Doc who always took the comedy parts, put in so many antics and made so many remarks that the stage manager could do absolutely nothing. In fact, when he attempted to force the actors to go on and say their parts Doc would say some- thing that would set them all to laughing, and work would be suspended. But when the dress rehearsal comes. then all is ''busi- ness" in earnest No one fools and the stage manager finds his hands full in attending to his duties which now appear to have be- come stupendous. However, he attends to them energetically, and luckily there is no 'hitches' anywhere There are seldom any "changes' to be made by the actors, and this gives opportunity for the company to set the scenes themselves, with no out side help. .. It is great fun to be behind the scenes ct the dress rehearsal,and experience the 4hrilI one feels when he thinks that the next night he will be out in the glare of ene l footlights, acting and reciting the part he | Is now saying over and over to ii.;-1self THE PRESENTATIONS ss | The day has at last arrived! How fast your heart beats as you pass the billboards | on your way home from school that after 1 noon and read:
 TONIGHT! E The Juvenile Theatrical Co. $ In fs . GA Contested Fortune,"s | At a; l McGill's Garret Opera House. g. Doors Open at 7:90 VI. l Curtain Rises at S:3o. ! | CThe Skrugans appeared in theif 'ssliows'' | as ''The Juvenile Theatrical Co.'C at-~- The company made it point to be al the | theatre That afternoon and "get things | ready" and when they left for supper many | were the injunetfons of the stage manager | to be there on time.
 l Howdy, who sells tickets in the box down | by the walk, is the first to arrive after SUD- | per. McGill Tights up" and then goes down l to watch the sale of tickets until the others | arrive. About seven o'clock .Huibby comes. | He and McGill go upstairs and go over their 1 parts together, Hubby declaring that he | will have the stage-frig1Jt. Then Doc ar-