Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-22
MECHANISM OF THE STAGE.
Multitude of Things Which Make
III. Prod ractior, :. Srsrnas

Multitude of Things Which Make a
Big Production a Success.
The stage when a big production is
on is a prison for secrets No one not
actually engaged in the work of the
production is admitted beyond the
stage door. All who are entitled TO
admittance must present their tickets
OF admission, just as the auditors pre-
sent tieGets at the wicket In front OF
the house.
One of the most interesting features
of Manstield's new play has to do with
the remarkable executive mechanism
which contributes unseen to the ef-
fectiveness of Ills production OF Julius
Caesar" What the audience sees is
an increased orchestra of some TWEEN
~ musicians, cast of thirty-iiye prin-
cipal players, and a great number OF
supeynumeraries. But, unseen, there
is another little army of busy workers
| behind the scenes
At the door is the board on which
the arrivals are registered as each
comes in. The earliest man to the
theater is Mr. Mansfield's dresser; in
deed. he spends large portion Of the
day In the dressing room, attending
10 Mr.. Mansield's costumes. wigs,
boots and linen. He i hack again be-
fore 10 make ready fol Mansfield.
who Is apt to appear at any time after
| 8 O'Clock There are others who have
anticipated the arrival of the actors,
1
ia their charge. The wardrobe mis-
tress has three sewing girls. and this
quartet sew. stitch, clean. renoyate and
press costumes with a diligence that
defies time and packing, Nearby is the
armorer. with matlet and driver to
CLOSE the riyets up In the last az OF
Caesar IN the wooded plains Of
Phiilipi." there is a gorgeous pageant
OF Roman soldiery This means work
to keep conditioned the metal ieggings,
larmpieces. breastplates. gauntlets,
shields. swords and helmets. There
are 157 salts OF Roman armor for the
| play.
| His VIII; man leads a more quiet life.
By day ne Is on the stage with his
wigs and blocks, combs aad tongs; but
at night he goes about to see that all
is right. When the makeup man has
arranged his pots and brushes, the
crowds may come. for every one is
ready for their Transformation into Ro-
man cislzens. The principals. OF
course, have their own trunks and
rooms, and make themselves up. The
| "sup@s" are divided off into several
/ big r,oms. about fifty or sixty dressing
in each room. They give up their own
coat, waisteoat and hat in exchange for
| their Roman yestments, which are kept
in great room lined with numbered
hoxes. When the play is over they
make another trade, Once in costume,
/ the supers pass along TO the makeup
liable. Here is another Of those work.
men, who. unseen by th, audience, con-
tributes his share TO things. He APP
plies the makeup T. the supers. so
that from a colorlSss mask of sameness
they become indiylduaIized and charac-
terized.
These are only few Of Mr. Mans
/ iieid's numerous unseen stan They
are All under the stage manager. who
is the stars adjutant general He has
two assistants. Every department has
a head There are gas calciums. safer
and truer than electric caleiums. so
Mansfield will have them. In control
OF them is the head gas man. and he
has au assistant az each pair OF
tanks" who follows cues for the
changing Of the color and strength OF
the light, just as the actors do for
their entrances and exits.