The times., 1901-05-19

piece, which is profiled-that is. cut ir-
regularly-to represent trees, mountains,
or houses. This piece is placed imme-
diately in front of the sky drop. A few
feet farther in front is held what is
known a cut gauze drop. This has
sides and top of canvas painted as the
case requires, while the centre is filled
with fine gauze which lends an aerial
effect to the distance Red lights are en-
ployed to give a soft sunset glow to. the
scene. AT the proper moment the back
drop is slowly and steadily raised, while
the red lights are dimmed and the green
ones gradually turned on.
The moon effect is obtained in several
ways A fine example of this kind may
be seen by theatregoers in connection with
the garden scene in Faust The eX-
quis.te beauty and picturesqueuess Of the
scenic effect in this case, as given in Sir
Henry lrVing's London production of
Faust excited more enthusiasm among
the critics than the great Englishman s
acting. Certainly nothing more striking
could he imagined than the quaint medic
val turTets and spires of the old German
city in the distance bathed in the rich
glow of the sluwly-Sstting sun, while the
garden in the foreground is already in
shadow. Then the light slowly fades from
the sky, and the moon, rising. throws a
mellow flood of siIvery radiance upon
trees and flowers.
Stage stars, otherwise than human, con-
slst OF single sixteen candiepower incan-
descent lamps fixed TO a metal frame, and
SET IN the back drop, only the star itself
with a covering of red gelatine tinctured
with blue, showing in front"
There Is scarcely any illusion on the
stage which is seen so often as the moon
light effect. Seen by daylight, a moon
light scene is CHASTITY, being painted in
cold greys and greens. The strong moon
light of the foreground is produced by the
calcium light. ,-lrown through green
glass The moon itself. during the rare
occasions when it is seen on the stage,
may be made in many ways. A good form
is a porcelain, or milk-glaSs plate, oval
in form, and containing six or more in
candescent lamps.
The rain machine is usually placed high
up in the flies. A hollow wooden cylin-
der, five feet in circumference. and four
feet in length, is provided. Upon the in
side are placed rows of small wooden
teeth, quantity of dried peas are placed
in the cylinder. and belt is run around
one end of it, and down TO the prompters
desk. BY turning these cylinders, the
peas run down between the teeth and
imitation of rain falling upon a roof
travelling companies often have to play at
small theatres where such luXuries as
rain machines are unknown. A suf-
fClently good substitute is however, cas-
lily obtained. A sheet of heavy brown
paper is pasted over a child's hoop. and
a handful of bird-shot is placed upon the
paper The hoop Is tipped from side to
side; and tie shot roHs around the paper.
producing a fairly good rain effect.
The rainbow effect has been used in the
AAblutlloIl oi HtlnSolu- WntTt the EouS
enter Walhalla over the rainbow bridge.
1t is a magnificent stage Illusion, and is
produced as follows: PriSmS are fast
ened Cne above the other in front of an
electric protector. the light from which,
passing through the prisms. produces the
various colorS Of the rainbow. AS in
nature, there appears TO be two arches,
the primary and the secondary.
WIND. like rain. is made by portable
machine, one form of which is as fol-
lows: a heavy frame is made. in which
is set cylinder provided with paddles.
Across the top Of the cylinder is stretched
as tight as possible a piece of heavy
gros grain silk, but canvas is often SUBJ
stituteG. The rapid passage of the pad
dies over the surface of the silk or can
vas produces the sound of wind.
TIL thunder and lightning effect is the
result of very prosaic methods. For
thunder a large piece of sheet iron is
shaken. and produces an imitation of
sharp. rafting thunder. To produce the
duh roar and reverberation another ap-
paratuS is used This is called the
box frame, over which is tightly drawn
a calfskin. Often two thunder drums are
used at the same time. The rumble
cart" which is also occasionally en-
ployed, consists of box filled with some
heavy material, and mounted on irregu-
arly shaped wheels.
The common method of producing light
ming flashes is to secure two large files
TO an electric circuit. The files. when they
are rubbed one over the other produce a
series of brilliant flashes. Some of the
large New York theatres employ more
elaborate methods.
These are only a few Of the well-knOwn
effects Of the theatre. There are many
others, equally simple and effective.