The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-06
THUS A PLAY IS PRODUCED
A PROCESS THAT SWEEPS THE
GAMUT OF HUMAN PASSION.
From Hope to Despair. Frem has 70
sarcasm, From Frenzy 10 Deaaiy'
Poisonous Calm Is the Course OF the
Manager-Bu IN No Harm 10 Done.

FUI#U0DUW Nblui - thio
mayer hut No Harm is Done.
just now the actor folk are ~rehearsins
their heads OF. as they word IT,. Any
kind OF theatrical rehearsal, whether
the piece be q b~urlesque or a Tragedy
Ia more or less entertaining.
The mere onlooker, comfortably seated
1, the dark auditorium, and having
nothing to win or lose in conneot'oh
with what Is going on before him on
the dismal. gray Swallowed stage cam
help but extract plenty OF enjoyment
from almost any old rehearsal. Maybe
his fun consists chiefly in his w dis-
passionate contemplation OF the ire
mendous earnestness and seriousness
of the men and women taking part In
the rehearsal, and the quick changes
from hope to despair. from rage TO re-
lenting, from arcasm to approval from
frenzy to deadly. poisonous oaim' on
the part OF the stage ~technician who
directs the proceedings.
One Of these rehearsals-it lasted
on the stage Of one Of the Broadway
theatres from II O'Clock in the morning
until 7 In the evening, with an hours
intermission for lu~ncheon-had for It's
subject matter a drawing room drama
adapted from one Of the best selling
novels. Most Of the people on the gloomy
stage were we'll known stage folk.
1t was very hot and all the men on the
stage were in their shirt sleeves. The first
set was supposed to be an elaborate
boudoir scene, although the stage was
entirely bare of scenery. The male star
WA doing the rehearsing with the assist
anoe Of the adapter. the manager and the
angel. who sat in solemn and apparently
bored Grandeur In the orchestra leaders
elevated seat.
The leading woman, who looked warm.
moist and uncomfortable. was essaying
her Interpretation Of a little comedy scene
in which an old negro slave figured. Be
fore she was half through with the scene
the male star and the adapter were ex-
changing glanoes Of utter disapproval.
sHorrible!' Kissed the male star to the
adapter. 'Fierce! Fee-ro-cious!'
-The limit CALCULATED the adapter in
reply. The jumping of limit The world
upside down. Wheel
wed be eggedl' groaned the male
star, gritting his teeth.
sAnd cabbagedl' muttered the adptater'
Naturally enough tho leading woman
had ceased by this time and was looking
up ~inquiringly. .
Don't I read It ~correotiyf' she asked in
a tone Of hoarse WEAKNESS.
aOh. yes, yes, yes, you cad 1t all cor
rectiy enough-you read 1t like a smoke
less phonographl' walled the male star.
shaking his head sadly and an expression
OF ominous calm ON his lined features.
you read II like a wireless typewriter.
Nobody's complaining about your read
ing. ut-how-about-aot
bitl.
splease-pu l-lease-move across the
stage once. Sol All. you really can
move. then! Startlingl The lady actu-
ally can walk Amazingl Miraculous!
And sire scratches her nose! Phenom-
epall And, more extraordinary still, she
positively raises an arm and tucks in a
hairpin! Unbelievable
snow, Just run over that little scene
again. will you, please. and endeavor 70
convince yourself that this isn't one OF
the scenes in which you are rooted to the
spot. won't your
The scene was zone over again. his
time a bit more satisfactorily to the male
star and adapter. who. however. occa-
sionally glanced at each other with woe
unassuagable in their gaze.
The old negro slave In the scene was the
next to catch it. The male star walked
over to the man who was assuming the
part, passed his arm around the players
shoulder with nook tenderness, and en-
treated him as follows:
-My boy. try to forget. while you're
working with me and playing this part.
that you ever did a knookabout black
face act on the variety stage. won't you?
l know that it'll be hard, terribly hard,
it'll wrench you to the soul;
but try. won't you. old manf
Just now. you know, you're playing
the part Of an aged and decrepit black
slave who lived and had his colored be-
ing about sixty years ago. understand.
Now. it may be frightfully difficult for
you to convince yourself that you're not
the part OF a modern dinge CRAP
with Q four foot papier maohe
and q Lew Dockstader collar; but
try it, anyhow; in the name of heaven get
to yourself and try 1t.
sYou won't be called upon to sing All
Ali Git Is Sympathy or anything like
in this production, you know. Such
compositions, as you may have guessed,
we're quite unknown In the last century,
\ long time before the civil war. Now
be good, won't you, and try to forget
your former slapstick burnt cork lifs2'
Further up Broadway the stage director
Of a new comic opera was having his
rehearsal troubles. He was In his shirt
with a handkerchief around his
neck, his hair most weirdly tousled and
ne naturally protrusive eyes almost
from his head.
The musical director, a corpulent
person In belted trousers and short
mesh undershirt, perspired copi-
ously as he whanged away at the piano,
. lighted cigarette sticking between
the fingers Of his left hand ever as he
thumped tho keys,
The whole force Of the chorus had
the singing finale to the first
act when the excitable stage director OF
the outfit made one bound Of it of the
to the auditorium and rushed up
the middle aisle toward the entrance to
the theatre at the top OF his speed. or
course when the musical director saw
this he brought the chorus to a sudden