Evening journal., 1910-05-18
Behind the Scenes With
Stage Heroes and Heroines
By Miss Elizabeth W. x. curnsy.


, knocking down part Of Mr.. Tuppers par
lor, and finally colided with a camp-stool
before stage-hand patiently conducted
her to a safe spot.
Then Mamsene herself peeped around
the corner OF the wing and smiled be-
/ fore betaking her charming self onto the
stage Although Miss Pitt has worn many
beautiful costumes. she was particularly
bewitohing as Mamselle.
Curtain Raising Routs Actors.
AS soon as the curtain was fairly down,
tho actors vanished below stairs like mag
ic, and the stage was completely filled
with moving scenery and an army Of
scene-shlfters. The men, under their dis
proportionate burdens, resembled ants
carrying leaves The side walls Of Mr.
Tuppers parlors. still hung with their
pictures waltzed across the stage and
were stacked at the sides The rear wall.
portieres and all, ascended TO the upper re-
gons taking its place beside the ap-
ple trees Of Lovers Lane. The ceiling
went up; the chandelier came down and,
was unlocked; tables and chairs appar-
nelly vanished into thin air. New scenery
came hurting down through the air and
sliding I'm from the sides; the painted
wings, which have no support but their
Il" shape, swaying perllousy. Actors re-
appeared up went the curtain. Everything
is exactly timed, and every duty for ac-
tors and stage hands definitely assigned,
which makes marvellous quickness pos
sibe. and prevents confusion.
The courteous patience W4.H which ac-
tors and stage men explained matters was
one Of the pleasant features OF seeing the
play from behind the scenes Interesting
was their description Of the gallery where
much Of the painting of the scenery Is
done. the painters frequently using both
hands.
Fresh Cause For Amazement.
The spectator found new cause Of
anazement in the second scene Actors
stood in the wing talking quietly about
the weather, when the most alarming
change came over their faces. The spec
tator thought It must he an apoplectic
stroke until a sudden rush upon the stage
into the thick of the plot explained mat
ters. The amusing second act showed the
versatility Of the CONFESS and Edwards
Company in a marked degree. Mrs Hook
cy's songs, especially CLAP Your Hands, -
were much enjoyed. Mr.. klawans showed
talent on the violin. and pleasing songs
were given by Miss Strickland and Miss
Brook Miss Short displayed a hung
power that astonished the friends of that
charming young woman. Miss Ethel
Strickland, assisted by Mr.. Miller, de-
ceived many Of the audience by a realis-
tic fanting scene. Miss Mabel Strickland
and Mr. Burke delighted Ihe audience with
their vivacious Dutch dance. The interest
centered I'm Miss Pitt as the graceful and
b lively Mamselle; and in Mr.. McDermoti
as the polite but importunate Frerchmar
who wanted TO see the lady viz ze eyes
r MIR. MacDermott invented much Of the
stage business that made the Frenchmar
50 amusing. Mr. Hammond, with his rec
wig was especially delightful in his soul
ful reception of the flowers for the per
formers. Not the least funny part Of th'
performance were the people in the audi
once who were taking it all seriously. Mr.
Burke as policeman and Mr.. Hay
den as Bob, made a hit.
Tho next act gave the audience peel
behind the scenes, but they did not SCI
the actors hidden behind the piles Of stag
furniture, nor tho luncheon table for tn
J, closing scene. in quiet retreat behind
wing Nor Is the stage so calm and va
Gated between acts. It would be worth al
q uniniuated mans life to try to cross tn
stage during a genuine shifting Of scenes
4 When the final curtain had been run
= down after recalls which evidenced tn
= great popularity OF the company With IN
people OF Wilmington, all was in hurr,
, l.chind scenes. The stage was arrange
for next days rehearsal. actors washe
!. Off their makeup and donned street attIrs
and actors and stage hands were not muc
behind the audience In leaving the theatre