The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-17


was really the last performanceof OF the dear
old Albee company. Although had seen
'Niobe" carly in the week. / was awful
ly disappointed at not being able to get
a seat In any part of the house for the
Saturday night performance. for / did
30 want 10 help give these popular favor
ties hearty farewell reception. While
l stood calling myself names for not
having secured my seats when they FIRST
went on sale. brilliant idea came to me,
Why not avail myself OF the invitation
once extended TO me by Manager Loven-
berg to witness a performance behind
the scenes" some time? This was a most
excellent opportunity, and / might also
say goodbye TO the members Of the COM
pany as / had promised 10 do. Before
the thought was well formed. the little
Matinee Girl was ION her way
i found them In groups about the
stage awaiting the rise of the curtain.
They were laughing and talking In their
usual happy-go-lucky, care-free manner.
with the exception of Mr.. williams. Mr-
Celdsra and Mr.. Winter These thrce
were standing apart. conversing earnest
~ I'm low tone, and after a satisfied
laugh and nod OF agreement. they dis
gram was daring Miss Reimer to play
THE Maidens Prayer" at the opening of
the performance, and everyone was urg-
Ing her to do so, for Miss Reimer is not
only a brilliant pianist but a woman with
keen sense Of the humorous.
At this point assistant stage mana
ger Marsh. called clear (Which means
clear the stage) and. at Mr.. Wintor's
signal rang UP the curtain upon what was
destined to be the greatest event ever
seen I'm a local theatre The house was
packed with the most ardent OF the AL
bee company's admirers, who were conf
dent OF having a lot of fun not down on
the program. / stood In tho wing, ca
ger TO see all the fun, and IL was evil
dent from the very rise OF the curtain
that the members of tho company had
no intention OF disappointing the fun
seekers In the audience. Miss Reimer ac-
cepted the challenge, much to the sur
prise of her fellow players, attempting
TO give burlesque rendition OF the time
worn ''Maiden's Prayer" but although
she played with the loud pedal on all the
time and used all her strength II was al
most impossible TO get any sound from
the piano. Mr.. Williams and Mr.. Cal
dara having muffled II before the curtain
went up.
This provoked a shout from everyone.
and then the fun began In earnest Up
TO this time every member OF the COM
pany had been given the most tremendous
receptions. which compelled the play to
come to a standstili while the recipient
bowed his or her acknowledgment. But
when Mr.. Owen made his entrance he
not only received a tremendous recep-
lion from the audience. but a great sur
prise from his colleagues from behind |
the scenes. The young lady who played |
he drum in the Fadettes ladies orches- |
vIyffh Mr. tr-xyi IN vafo
he cornet, Mr.. Winter playing the from |
bone, and Mr.. Caldara playing the flute. |
formed an impromptu band. who played, |
N the loudest and most dicsordant |
manner, The Rogue's March,"
The audience simply screened with
aughter, and every member OF the COM
oany who was on the stage threw self |
control to the winds and laughed hear
lily. This band music was repeated for
ENTRANCE after this. and each
imo IL threw the audience company and
'veryone behind the scenes into fts OF
aughter. Then the three schemers got
'ther schemes. This continued all even
ng. every time they came of the stage
hey rushed to Mr.. williams dressing
DOM. where their plans were formed, un-
Ill all the other members OF the COM
amy were constantly on their guard
gainst them.
They did their very best to make Miss
cvesson lose her marvellous self-control
II three standing behind the partition, |
While she was standing statute-like on
he pedestal. and tickling her until they
espaired. Then Mr.. Caldara, with per-
istent determination, donned pair OF
jumpers belonging 10 one
{ the stage hands and clutching a pair
( electrical shears rusehd en- 20 the
tage. pretending TO be the electrician
D fix the wires at the foot OF the statue,
ut in reality tickling the bottom OF Miss
,vesson's feet. II the curtain had been
rawn on the statue at that moment.
fiss Evesson declared she would have |
creemed out. I'm not afraid now"
he said. 'as long as they didn't break
le up while l was n statue. oh. these
oys! You just wait, we can play tricks.
20.
We'll. well break you UP before long"
nd they did. two. II was In the second
u when Mr.. owen was comforting the
eeping Niobe miss Evesson). and Mr..
'illiams remarked. Go ahead old chan. |
s your last chance" Then Miss Ewes
ms make-believe crying became hearty
ughing. while the audience shouted
fter the noise had somewhat subsidized,
n. Williams remarked in confidential
tide TO the audience. Hes Jealous OF
e all summer" once when Mr. WI