Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-04-20
FIRST NIGHTS ARE TRYING.
Stage People Kept on the Anxious Seat
During Initial Performances.

Stage People Kept on the Anxious Seat
During Initial Performances.
The first night of n new play begins
for the auditor ut = o'clock in the even
ing: for the actor at y o'clock In the
morning of the day set for the first pro.
duction. At about that hour he awak.
ems tagged from the dress rehearsal
of the previous night, which has left
him too exhausted for IA refreshing
sleep. Breakfast proves to be q farci.
cal attempt ut replcnishing the inner
man. The chop has lost its appetizing
flavor and the coffee its stimulating
powers. He finds himself repeating
the words of his part, mechanically
striking attitudes and moving about the
room to assume the positions decreed
by stage business.
Ten to OH. he discovers that he can.
not remember the dialogue of his most
important scene and he hurrics to use
the manuscript. This brings him to
his sense and he bcrates himself as a
nervous idiot. Time out of mind he
has performed the same mental and
physical antics inspired by the intense
strain of the iirst-night ordeal. He de.
cides to "walk 1t off," But the words
sing In his head. He reads his lines on
the billbOards, which seem to contain
nothing save posters heralding the play
In which he is to appear. might as
well have had rehearsal" he mutters
as he retraces his steps to the Lambs
or Players. the clubs frcquented by the
actors. There every one, with the best
intention. wishes him success until the
poor fellow feels bowed down by the
responsibility Of living up to their eX.
pcctntions.
Arrived mt his apartment an attempt
to divert his thoughts by attention to
neglected correspondence proves of nc
avail. lie develops only a tendency to
copy the manuscript Of his part. Lunch.
con offers temporary relief, but,
strange to say, bouillOn ana chop are
equally tastcless. lie gulps the first as
though 1t We're q draft of medicine
but cannot overcome the feeling of ner.
vous nausea, and leaves the chop un.
touched. Here, get together, old
man." Is his mental command. Sleep
he must have.
But sleep comes not. Catching sight
of himself In mirror, he realizes that
he Is unshaven. lie dares not trust the
razor to his trembling hand, so Is com
PEELED to seek barber. This opera
ton Is speedily performed, In spite OF
his suggestion that "therc be no hur
ry." About u o'clock he IL convinced
that acting Is not his matter and wishes
that he had been bricklayer. A slice
of dried toast ana cup OF tea cOnsti
tute his dinner, after which start Ii
made for the theater.
| The hour consumed In makeup and
dressing seems altogether too brief
Narrowing thoughts throng his brain
He feels certain that he has forgotten
a tie. n hat, a walstcOat or some Other
equally important accessory to his
stage attire. At S:l5 or thereabOuts he
Is In the wings awaiting his cue, fever
ishly moistening his lips, while he
mumbles his first speech.
lis entrance made, his first word spO
ken-the burden rolls away ana the re
mainder of the dialogue ana business
comes In the main with pleasing Ger
tainty. Eleven o'clock finds him worn
out, hoping for favorable verdict from
the dramatic reviewers, but really al
that moment too exhausted to be con
cerned in anything in life except an In
viting pillOw.-New York Press.