Evening star., 1909-08-29

spending it recklessy the scenery and costumes;
but when it comes to the company, he will save!
The Stage Manager has to amicable wise
settlement of this problem
Then comes the matter of the scenery. If the con-
tracts for this have already been given out,-and
very often they have before the Stage Manager is
gagged he has to see that the painters and
carpenters making the scenery so that it will be
practicable for the requirements of the book. 1t is
likely not at first scene makers have habit OF
going ahead without paying much attention to the
necessary doors, gateways, and similar entrances.
The Stage Manager has sent out his call for a cho-
and the applicants begin to arrive. Of course,
the requisites in chorus girl voice. appearance,
and ability to dance at least to learn. Easy to
obtain? If you were Stage Manager, you would
know better. 1t is practically impossible to find all
three of these good points combined in lndl-
vidual. When the miracle does occur, the person so
blessed ceases to be chorus girl: But finally the
chorus-say forty eight girls and sixteen men-s Sc
is in readiness for reheaTsals.
So far there has been no actual warfare. The
musical director is teaching the chorus their music,
and the Stage Manager is studying the book little
more carefully. Unknown to the author, he has by
this time settled some changes that absolutely
must be made and is preparing to have them made.
If the author refuses to make them, the Stage Man
ager must ask the manager to have somebody else
do it.
At the First Rehearsal
NOV comes the first real tug of The prin-
~ cipals brought together for their first
hearsal Up to this time few if any of thenl-except,
of course the star-have their parts or know
anything about them, except in most general way.
Now they to the theater.
The Stage Manager is sitting at little table in the
center of the bare stage, the footlights His
face is furrowed with frowns. He knows what IS
coming. The company draw up chairs in semi
circle about his table He knows most of them and
they speak the time of day cordially. The Stage
Manager introduces the author and composer, who
properly proud, and then hands out the parts.
WHAT excaims the soubrette, disdainfully
looking at the typewriter script given to her.
What! Only SO long?
Il beg your pardon, Miss Flash says the Stage
Manager quietly. This means, Well, if you don't
like it. YOU know what you dol!
The soubrette founces into her chair, voicing her
protest against such an insult to her position in the
profession to the tenor who sits by her side and is
equally outraged by the part he has received.
Let's read the book now, ladies and gentlemen,
says the Stage Manager.
And it is done. There is silence throughout the
hurried reading. The company does not seem en-
thusiastc about the piece. The author is whiting.
The composer smiles serenely: Wait till they hear
his music! he thinks. Then the reading is finished,
and-after that the deuge!
The company, from star down to the humble pos
of twoline speech, cluster round the Stage
Manager.
this?"
There isn't laugh in my part!"
'em any good!
If the music isn't any better
Where's the manager? If he thinks I'd play
part like this
funny with such stuff ths?
Bang! Bang! 1t is the Stage Manager shifting
the table with his fist to secure order. The hubbub
Ladies and gentlemen, that you have all de-
cded that you don't wish to play the parts assigned
to you, suppose you all return them to to
the managers office, and resign. Otherwise
shall now begin rehearsing. Opening chorus over!
Enter So and Sol"