The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-01-10

you that the dresses worn in these pro-
ductions are as expensive, and often
more SO, than those used by the more
ambitious theatres. The costumes
usually consist of an opening dress for
star and chorus which is ankle length,
and q mass of silks, satins, embroid-
cries, etc, surmounted by enormous
hats spangled and jsweled, with great
plumes trained in fancy curves and
designs. Should the stage of any of
the theatres where these companies are
engaged be small, the effect of chorus
gowned in such fashion is somewhat
overpowering. The opening dress is
followed by short skirts equally mag
Dilicent, and again by costume called
"rosy-posy" dress which is tights
with very short trousers, a blouse waist
and big hat Every burlesque per-
formance that have ever seen has had
this costume il various notifications,
and it is supposed to represent boys
who work on the farm. Negro songs
are usually sung in this costume i'll
calcium moonlight of many coloIs.
To complete the performance the last
act includes gorgeous costumes of
tights and embroidered bOdices, long
satin coats overpowering hats. In the
matter Of costumes the managers will,
as III everything else, is law. After he
accepts the design from the artist, it
must be followed, and there is no ap-
peal from wearing it. If the actor or
actress does not ike it, and refuse to
wear it, they must resign, in fact the
| final test, the dress rehearsal is gener-
ally accompanied by many disappoint-
ments. Then there is as much i'll the
wearing OF a costume as in tae making,
| althO with the assistance of the ward
robe mistress and the costumer this
matter is always arranged satisfacto-
rlly. This applies With equal if not
more force to the male members of a
company. 1t is known fact that they
adapt themselves less readily to un-
usual costumes than do the female
members. While girls wear male attire
with ready ana becoming results, men,
with rare exceptions, do not make
good girls, and have been known to
faint after being laced up short time
in female costume.
At a dress rehearsal the chorus
stands in line, each member holding
the costume plate from which their
costume was made, While the manager
inspects and compares. Ii gown and
plate do not compare in every detail
they must be made to do so, or sent
back to the costumer. 1t is amazing
how much is done in the last few days
and how much that should be done is
left undOne. [ have seen first acts on
before crowded irst night audience
when the costumes for the last act
we're not in the theatre.
l remember one production in par.
ticular in which an affair of this kind
took place. 1t was during the fall OF
1893 when "The Sporting Duchess" was
placed upon the stage of the Academy
of Music in New York City, Three OF
the four acts had been almost com.
pleted when the manager received
word from the cOstumer that dresses
for the fourth act could not be finished
in less than an hour. Notwittstand.
ing the lateness of the hour he immedi
ately engaged several variety actors al
large salaries, to fill the interval be.
tween the third and fourth act. Owing
to this delay the performance was not
concluded until within few moments
of midnight. But the end justified the
delay, for this production, with its
magnificent and costly costumes, had a
continuous run of more than three
hundred nights.
There are great many other features
connected with the art of the costume
designer that I know would be o1
; especial interest to you were to men
tion them, but the lack of time forbids
further remarks upon this almost mex
haustlble subject. Therefore l will
: conclude this. article by saying thai
there are a great many superstitions
existing in theatrical life, and one thai
recall in particular, regarding new
J costumes worn at dress rehearsal
1t is said that il the skirts of tn,
, chorus do not hang little out OF plac,
| Tor unless the petticoats show Wher,