The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-13

bashful about inaugurating a little excite
ment in the theater when the spirit moves
them. His stage manager advertised for
a number of supernumeraries, and among
the applicants was a group of boys from
one of the preparatory schools there. Their
eagerment to ''go on and their intelligence
secured them an advantage over their COM
petitors. and they were enrolled i'm the army
of blanche, which is scheduled TO make
nightly trouble in Soldiers of Fortune
When the boys made their first appearance
their schoolboy friends. stationed in various
parts of the house, called them by name
and made audible comments on their stage
makeup. The boys. not to be outdone
waved their guns and smiled at the people
out in front. The climax of the act in
variaby receives numerous curtain calls,
so when the curtain fell Mr.. Edeson re-
quested the soldiers to stand in a line just
back of the canvas that separated them
from the audience. AS soon as he had them
lined up Edeson gave the signal for the
curtain to be raised. at the same time step
ping behind the scene. leaving these re-
Gently jubiant young men to face their
fellow-students. AS the star remarked aft
erward, II never saw such a shame-faced
lot In my life. They actually blushed under
their make-ups and my revenge for their
lack of dignity in the scene i'm which they
took part complete when / heard the
yell of their comrades and noticed their own
confusion"
The average playgoer who enjoys a plush
seat in the orchestra believes with settled
conviction that the "show business is one
of romance and mystery, and is hard to
hot in,
business with rules as well defined as those
of banking, and with operation as thorough
and concise railroad Hanlons' SUI
perba" is an instance of this system. The
Standard Oil Company is not operated with
more thoroughness than is this lucrative
and popular piece of theatrical property.
From the time the spectacle has its first
preparation, its rehearsal and final per-
formance system has been 1.-The thing
Play-goers are often moved to wonder how
company such as this. with its train load
of production and company can be moved
and operated without friction. 1t took the
Hanlons many years to learn this system
but to-day they are able to enjoy the surety
OF its operation. "Superba,'' like many
other spectacular productions. must neccs-
sarily carry an immense amount of stage
| setting, costumes and properties" The
score of scenes require the use of forty
five full stage drops. and over 600 other
pieces of scenery. In order to transport
this successfully two of the largest bag
gage cars obtainable and a full passenger
coach are needed. Yet this mass of peo-
pie and matter move from place to place,
sometimes giving six performances in six
towns in one week. smoothly and evenly.
without rush or friction. and the system
demonstrates its success. In the first place
advance representative. week ahead. takes
the road. I'm each city where the company
Is booked 10 appear he visits the roalroads
and contracts for the next move signs an
agreement with the transfer company to
haul into and out of the theater the ten or
more truckloads of scenery and baggage
attends to the advertising, sees that the
newspapers supplied with information
and engages hotel quarters for the COM
pany. When the company arrives its men,
bers so to their hotels. and as quietly and
effectively the stage settings and proper
ties are taken to the theaters and put in
place. Ten men employed by the Hanlons
attend To this There is the carpenter and
his assistants first. then the property mas
! ter and his aids, and next the electrician.