Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
London Sees a Play
With Ancient Setting
From the Bellman.

From the Bellman.
The girls of the London University, in
giving a play not long ago, tried to produce
II with the setting it would have had 3Ot
years ago.
1T Is nearly o'clock, and the pit Is
crowded. For hours these citizens have
been struggling in; some have missed their
dinners for better standing place, fact
the hawkers are turning to good account
as they make their way hither and thither,
pouring out beer or handing oranges, and
apples from their baskets to be eaten. or
perhaps thrown at an offending actor later
on.
Scattered here and there are appren-
tees in their leathern aprons; in front
stands sleep merchant in his fine broad
cloth. quite willing to pay out his shilling
for better company there a portly good
wife in her green homespun clumsily shaped
to a pointed bodice that proves none too
much to her comfort after these two hours
of Jostling; here innkeeper. a goodly
sprinkling of beggars, and yonder that thin
faced watchful fellow with his hand In
another mans pocket and In his own a
false beard and mask.
Around and above this motley, shifting
pit run the galleries, rooted above with
tiles-a mosaic of color now with rich vel
vets and many colored furs. Here and
there men are playing at cards; at one table
wine and dice: and over all the scene rises
the blue mist OF the tobacco. lately come
into fashion.
Higher still is another gallery, and here
another class of women. On the stage q
young dandy saunters In, followed by
scraping Prologus with his three-legged
stool. He stares deliberately over the gall
lery, nodding Familiarity here and there,
then. with a quicker, glance at the gallery
above, lights his pipe and seats himself
wherever he will be most in the way.
beside him. edging of their stools to
play mumbletypeg, a row OF little pages
each in feathered cap and tiny mantle
fastened on the shoulder with silver coat
of arms, all waiting for their masters, who
swagger In later as the play progresses,
clanking their rapiers and passing loud
words with the actors.
Now and again players peep out from
behind the curtain. curious boys, half in
costume and half out, stealing minute
from their rehearsal for a glance at the
crowds below or familiar face IN the gal
suddenly the door above the stage
opens and a loud trumpet blast Is heard,
the crowds In the pit edge forward, the
mobiles throw down their cards and dice.
the vendors cry their goods Justify Tor q
minute and are STILL
Another blast more jostling and crowd
ing, all faces turned toward the stage now;
then a third blast. the curtain is pulled
aside Prologus. all in black, steps forth.
the citizens wife is hoisted up from the
Dit and the play is on.
1.-The present revival is in the University
Chapel o. at the door of which Is paid the
old entrance fee. fourpence-ha-p penny. In
side the old fruit vendors are handing out
apples and oranges to astonished specta-
tors. On the stage sit the groups of dam
dies. not creatures of the Imagination now,
but flesh and blood realities.
only the blue mlsts OF tobacco smoke
are wanting TO make the scene as London
saw 1t In 1613-and this because the Boys
OF the Kings Revels have given place TO
tne girls OF Prof. Peck's Modern Drama
lass; The trumpet Is blown, a boy hangs
up The London Merchant Proiosus in
black steps forth. the citizens VIE is
hoisted over the footlights. and once more
che play is on" s's