The Washington times., 1901-12-15
ECHOES FROM
BEHIND SCENES
Extensive Work of a Local Stage
Manager.
MANYTHINGs T0L00K AFTER
OF Properties and Re-
sponsibilitY for Everything and
EycrybodS Being in Proper Place
mt the Right Time II Hard job.

wind up the moon. Charley" shouted
the stage manager from somewhere be.
hind mass of moving scenery.
Charley" a short, rotund parsonage
Of undoubted Teutonic descent, hastily
slipped down from the summit OF very
tall and shaky stepladder and proceeded
TO hoist the orb into place.
The scene of the foregoing was the
stage of a local theatre one night last
week. All was hustle and activity. Men
were rushing hither and thither, their
arms piled high with various minor ac-
cessories of the scene that had just
closed. The stage manager rushed out
OF dressing room and stationed himself
in the centre Of the stage, far down to-
ward the curtain. Vigilantly he observed
the work going on before him. Not the
slightest detail escaped his notice.
Arranging Stage Property.
When all the tables chairs, and various
props" had been removed the stage hands
sprang TO The big pieces of scenery which
formed the setting. Every man had his
place. Eacu of the big pieces was grasp
ed by TWO men. who stood waiting for the
signal to strike.
Take up your back drop" shouted the
manager.
Immediately the large scene, represent
ing a street in the distance, was swiftly
drawn up by the men in the flies" until
ii disappeared among the mass of hang
ing scenery overhead.
Ceiling"
The ceiling was promptly raised about
two feet. so that 1t cleared the set-stuff
that had formed the walls of a tavern.
"strike!" cried the manager, sharply
| clapping his hands.
Zach pair of men sprang backward, car
rying their section OF scenery. Each piece
was stood on end. one on top of the other.
/ against the wall at one side of the stage.
With amazing swiftness the tavern was
dismantled, and in a minute not a vestige
Of it remained in position.
'Ceilingi" was again shouted
This time one side of the ceiling was
lowered quite near to the stage. the three
ropes which had held it in a horizontal
position were quickly detached. and it
was drawn UP again as the back drop
had been.
Fixing the Grass Carpet.
Again the manager clapped his hands
Ground clothl Roll your cloth on here"
he shouted. Hustle. hustle!" he added.
at which injunction the men nearly fell
over each other in their endeavor to roll
a large bundle OF mating. covered with
a green substance that resembled grass,
upon the stage
AS soon as this was completed the stage
hands began to bring on the statues.
benches. and tables. and set the rear wall
and stairway in place. They were setting
a rose garden scene.
Now. boys" called the stage manager.
set your wings Hurry hurry, Say, you
over there on the right wing, wake up
This is no time to go to sleep. Shove
your steps back against that set-piece |
Bring your wall down stage about six
inches-thats it. Slide your tormentors |
in a little. More yet-there"
The Actors I'm Readiness.
Meanwhile the actors had changed their
costumes and were struggling back on |
the stage. one by one. The star" pres
emily came out and stood beside the man
ager, TO watch the work of setting the
stage. His presence seemed to inspire
the manager with new zeal to hurry the |
work.
Come, come, boys; get some life about
you!' he began again. Let your drop
come, Jake. Get out the way there, Miss
D.; you came near getting your head
knocked of that time"
The young lady had. indeed. narrowly
escaped being crushed by the swiftly de-
seending drop. She hastencd down the
stage to a place of safety. The drop had
been lowered, but it sagged down in the
middle.
Haul up on your centre line, Jake"
the manager called to the fyman. Not
SO much; down a little. There; tie It
of. Now, Percy, get your tabs and bor-
iers down. What's the matter with that
first border? Let it come. 1 tell you"
"oh, dry up! Can't you see its hung
IN that strip-light?" roared the gentle
nan aloft
Well. pole it off," shouted the star.
who was evidently growing nervous over
he delay.
That's what I'm doing as fast as
AN. There it is"
Out in the hall, near the dressing
'ooms, could be heard the call boy shout
ng: Second act. Second act"
The Lights Turned On.
"Cut your lights on, Harry" cried the
manager. and in a moment all the stage
lights flashed up. Take the blue shade
'ut Of that last calcium. and put in Il red
me. That's better"
Casting last keen glance around, to
zee that everything was in place, he clap
'ed his hands and shouted: "Clear!"
Those whose parts did not require them
o be on the stage at the opening of the
.ct beat a hasly retreat to the wings
Evidently satisfied with the appearance
4 the stage, the manager walked off TO
he side where the switchboard is located
nd raised his hand. The electrician
ouched small switch and lit red light ,
ver his head. The actors assumed their /
equiste attitude.
The managers hand suddenly fell, and
he light was quickly cut off, thus giving
he signal for the men in the flies to raise
he curtain. Immediately the big can
as noiselessly rose, and the act began.
Everywhere and Everything. r
But this did not conclude the stage {
hangers work. He had to be every
here and keep a watchful eye upon 4