The Washington times., 1909-06-10
CIRCUS RHEARSALS
INVOLVE HARD WORK

When a circus leaves winter quarters
and starts the season on the road, there
is vast amount of rehesrsing and ar
ranging to be done, before the many
specialists, the flIerse and the spectacles
are woven into an effective ensemble to
be placed on public view
Although the performers and trainers
have been busy during the winter in
working up new acts. it Is necessary
so to arrange the5 all on the program
that each act viii all the prominence
possible and vet avid an anticlimax. It
is not an iEfreQuent experience Of circus
people TO find that good stunt" gets
not a single "hand''-applause
All Carefully Thought Out.
As the spectator watches the famboy-
ant splencor of the open ny procession.
wonders at the clever t.3-kS Of the ami
mails, eXclaims "a the agility Of an aerial
act. or thrills at some feat of excep-
tiOnal daring. he little thinks how ciev-
eriy the circus man has gagged mis- ca
pacity for thrills. how subtly ne has
fathOmed mis- taste for mixed fright and
delight
The circus manager is not only a keen
student Of human nature, but he must
be an artist and a commander as well.
AND II Is at a rehearsal that all his
qualities are most effectJ9-iy displayed.
There are more than 800 people con-
nected with circus, bout a third OF
these being the performers themselves.
These performers are curious people,
being marked by he strongest feeling
OF caste. Americans or English are
rarely found among them, unless It be
among the equestriennes. since the
laws In both America anu England for
bid the use Of children in performances.
Trained From Youth.
In
are trained from the lime they can
walk. and while young. appear as pro-
fessionals. The Germans are noted for
their feats Of strength, the French for
daring. the Hungarians and Austrians
for riding, the japanese for dexterity,
and the Mexieans and Spaniards for
wire walking.
Proba ply there is no mJ.e bizarre pic-
ture than that of a circus rehearsal In
the great arena drOyes OF circus hands
stand ldllng about watching the various
acts. In one ring a dancing pony rears
around at the crack of the long whip.
he is sulky and does his work reluct-
antly since there is neither applause
nor music and he likes both II is an
established fact with the circus folk
that their horses and dogs, even the ele-
plants, viii do smoother before crowd
or with music.
"All hands off the track" shouts the
opening parade. The special attrac-
tons OF the procession already are ar
ranged, but the setting, the general
framework which viii display most eff
fectually the features in this arena has
yet to be designed. In the annex, Ike
so many gay-colored stones to be ar
ranged into mosaic by his hand are
the familiar circus parade attractions,
tie riders. the clowns, the floats. the
chariOts, the elephants and the camels.
The musicians, who since early morn
ing have been practicing IN the upper
gallery ScurTy down and are placed at
the head Of the procession. They adj
vance nifty feet. followed by a dozen
hOrsemen. The riders are in curious
costumes, mixtures of street and circus.
some wear OVercOats, some sweaters
all have on Egyptian headdresses, for
the spectacle is to be Cleopatra going
to meet Mark Antony
Following these are two score sham
bltng men and boys. now only circus
hands. but on Thursday night they will
be gaudy warriors with helmets, shields
and tights he manager surveys the
Inc. takes out six men hero and rear
soonest on the outside.
This group is advanced and more
! features arc added until the entire
arena is filled. Then the band starts an
air and instantly thrill runs down the
line and the detached groups. which
have been only So many units catch
the music and at once there Is a feeling
ears. some OF them mark time with
| their hoofs. the women brighten the
men straighten W. even the elephants
sway Ia slow rhythm TO the music and
the parade passes around the arena
with new spirit.-Chicago Post.