The San Francisco call., 1909-05-30


goes within lips) 1t IS best to have that sofa
there-um-un-Now you playing Agnes.
The well remembered chair OF gilt in the corner
that had been the girl waiting al the station for
her sweetheart now becomes Agnes
AL Careful Study
"Oh, yes l study her-I study her temperament
Yes, yes l look at my GIRL think am going to
make that girl Agnes. | say now, girl you sit on
eyes that handkerehef-just do it like this (de-
scrptive pantomime with one hnger) develop
thar way. don't believe in crowdng it-Iust little
things that woman would do. I may change the
whole thing tomorrow. Pfeu-eu-eu-euwI" Mr.. Be-
lasco sends forth leviathan puff He pauses, then
continues:
Now girl. there's that speech--do you get the
sense of it? Yes? Now try it Now, say. Let
US watch our little adjectives; little adJecrve
il? No no; that IS too nuch-there leave IT. leave
il. Do not underline your adjectives- Now read IL
And try TO feel t-feei Il see Don't take 1t IN eold
initiate me-feel it like do-but don't initiate me-
My golden rule is not to destroy personality. / can
nations their emotions their intellect I say Have
you got It under your eorsets gir Have You got L
under your waiscoat boy? II you feel II take II and
Mr. Beiasco flames and whispers and dominates
and entreats and controls He II fascinating and
appealing in his wonderfully varied characterizatons
and place badge now upon his black. clerical oos-
ing clothes. He is the most flexible man have ever
met
But upon the Oympian heights editors wait and
their demands not yet satisfied How as %
his stage arrangements? I asked the clock tnd<
Gated the quarter IL mark Again his hands range
Il can not prepare. l can not prepare, he says
manuscripts picture here, hreplace there; 5ut
am liable change them al next day. take things
they come / don't 60 at them IN . cold bloo6sd
way. I feel more than see. feel my blues-l fesa
my sunsets"
Are you always trying TO conceive fresh stass
effectsi"
an play Try TO do nothing that I accomplished
yesterday always believe In advancing-marehins
In my diction, in my productions, in my lights,
in my atmosphere | try to learn, 70 advance No
how good thing appeared last season, the fo
lowing year seem TO see more, and never repexE
speak, in this Marathon Of mine The clock
hands have crcpt to IL
| ask him If he could analyze the secrets OF hAs
skill.
Work work" said he; work and-temperzment.
for no matter how hard you labor, play writing must
be instructive 1t is intuition instinct. temperament.
inspiration Like the poet and ike the musician, It
must be God given That and-yes-a lifetime
passed in theater II is the most difficult OF the
arts You must be dreamer and mechanic IN one
All the books in the world not teach you, unless
God has touched you with his hand and said Ny son.
you fitted for play writing.
Mr. Belasco his whtened, rebellious head
upon his hand he ceases speaking. He Is silent
for long long time, and then he says in low tones:
friends Moods affect me. I have had busy life
/ started labor while almost baby have
worked in cellars ard garrets have worked in candle
lght-but | worked / see much; feel more Yes.
have passed through hard HE. Sometimes
wonder how could have kept my head aaoat. have
had no backing. no help All that have had has
come from those who have passed their dollars
through that little hole outside Yes. | have worked
my best"
The voice dies away; the great artist sits there
The ewes look farther than the gildcd table. though
They looking down the corridor OF time and
through the mists OF memory.