The Washington times., 1906-05-20

Miss Blanche Stoddard. leading wo-
man for Odette Tyler, possesses one
very essential talent. that Of being able
20 rescue herself from a discouraging
situation. During the three weeks in
which the Tyler company have been
playing at the BelascO Miss StOddard
has been called upon at various times
to think quickly in order to save a
dramatic situation. Presence Of mind
and ability 10 suggest remedies for mis-
haps is invaluable on the stage. Dur
ing a performance Of Lady Hunt
wOrth's Experiment there was a ner-
vous moment in the wings when some
one taued out Where's 5 the Shoe2
Those who attended the play will re-
cell that Lady Huntworth brings in
shoe belonging 10 the old maid sister
Of tha Vicar. Miss Hannah Pnlenger.
which. in order to bring good luck. the
titled cook throws at the young curate
and Lucy Pillenger as they elope. The
play was rapidly approaching the point
when the shoe was obliged to be pro-
duced or the riGicuie OF the audience
would be made manifest Every one
back Of the stage. from the property
man to the little newsboy Joined in the
game OF hunt the slipper" when Miss
Stoddard. who was playing Keziah. ap-
peared and demanded 10 know the
cause Of the excitement. We can't
find Miss Pillenger's shoe someone
answered breathlessly. "and everything
will be ruined" Without saying a word
Miss Stoddard stopped down and un-
laced her own boot just IN time 10 save
the scene.
Then everyone else wondered why no
one else had thought of so simple a
thing
During ''the Jnt." the second act
closes with the company grouped about
the plano singing. Miss Inez Plummer.
the ingenue, is supposed to play the
piano accompaniment. but she only pre-
1 tends TO do so. while Mr.. Rakemann.
director of the Belasco orchestra. plays
another piano just of the scene. IN
| fortunately the setting OF the stage was
so arranged that Mr.. Rakemann could
/ not hear a note of the singing. Conse-
quently the stage director, Mr.. Priestly
Morrison, was accustomed TO stand in
the wings and give the signal when to
start the music so that it would be in
accord with Miss Plummer's imitation
/ playing. Mr.. Morrison also sang the
air off the stage. so that Mr. Rake
mann could keep with the singers. One
away just at the time for the song.
| He asked Mr.. Melrose. the leading man
| to give the music cue. M Melrose did
/ so and then went on the stage not
knowing that unless someone sang for
/ Mr. Rakemann he would be utterly at
sea in regard to the accompaniment
Miss Stoddard grasped the situation i'm
| mediately and moving to one side of
the stage called In some one Hum the
music for Mr.. Rakemann or the scene
| is ruined. Mr.. Morrison isn't here No
/ one out front suspected the commo-
| ton that was surging about the wings
/ that evening. but Miss Stoddard sug-
| gested the remedy
The most recent event OF interest in
which she participated occurred on the
! opening night of THE Red Carnetion.' -
/ The company had been rehearsing all
/ Sunday night and all Monday. There
was some delay about the costumes and
wigs Finally everyone had settled his
/ difficulties with the exception of Miss
Stoddard, who was Queen Marie An
toinette. around whom the whole party
| centers, a character of the greatest i'm
portance. Miss Stoddard's costume did
| not reach the theater until nearly s
! O'Clock in the evening and to her con-
! sternation she discovered that it was
not what had been ordered and was al
| together impossible for Marie Antoin-
cite as it belonged TO a different period
/ in history and was a gaudy affair while
she required a dress to be worn in the
| prison scene. Many an actress would
have gone into mysteries at the pros
pect. but not so with level-headed Miss
Stoddard. She called Miss Tyler's maid
to her assistance, sent her out for a
gray cotton crepe goods at an absurdly
reasonable price, and marvellous as II
/ sounds. by the time the curtain went
up two hours later. Miss Stoddard look
ed every inch a queen in a gown which
had been cut without a pattern and
l so quickly sewed together that il would
not bear close inspection. but gave the