The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-27
At the Novelty.
Vaudeville after September 5.

In a stock company such as is the
one at the Majestic theatre in Topeka,
the person least known is the man who
directs and stages all of the plays. He
is the man behind, and everything con-
nected with the presentation of a play
from the orchestra back to the tiniest
piece of bric-a-brac used in ornament
alton, is solely under his charge His
name appears at the head of the pro-
CRANES, but the average auditor gives
it little attention and devotes entire
time to the players and their work
Robert Blaylock, director at the Ma
jestic, says: 81 have often been asked
by people in Topeka, especially by
business men. who realize that there
must be an experienced and all-seeing
eye at the head of an institution like
ours: How it is possible to put on the
class of plays, stage them as elaborate
ly and act them as we'll as is done, in
the short time of one week. 1t is only
possible when the director has the CO
operation of his entire force-actors,
artists and stage hands.
1.-The work of a stock director is
most arduous. To begin the manu-
script of a play is received from the
author or agents and is given to the
director, who reads it carefully to as
certain if it be suited to the talents of
his company-perchance it has twenty
or more characters in it, as many do.
The company may number about
twelve or fourteen and the play is one
the presentation of which popular de-
mand has made necessary The direct
or then has to go over his manuscript
and eliminate the extra parts entirely
and in way that will not be detected
by the audience; change the play
about, keeping the plot intact, provid-
ing new business, write new scenes,
etc, and give with his revised version,
what the public always demand: first
class play
"As an instance of this kind I might
cite Madam Sane Gene Several years
ago / produced this play and engaged
the services of eighty people. Last
season I presented it here with four
teen. Yet by the play-goers who had
never seen it on larger scale, this
was voted the best production and play
of the season. The man who stages
the piece is the stage director and must
not be confused with the stage manag-
| er. The director stages the play from
the manuscript The stage manager,
who may some day become a director
| is the executive behind the scenes
whose work it is to see that the orders
of the director are carried out as orig
| inally presented.
| When a play comes to the Grand
opera house and is presented at high
prices by high salaried artists, as
rule each one has been selected as a
particular type suited to the part. This
| Is not possible in a stock company,
where the rule, and I believe it a good
one, is: If you don't suit the part
suit the part to yourself When I
went into the theatrical business the
method employed by the stage direc-
tors was akin to that of the slave
driver The player was practically
| forbidden f0 have
suggestion about anything pertain
ing to the play. They were shouted
| at and continually harassed until they
became machines adjusted to the mo-
| tons of one man, who killed their in
d1viduality and made of them mere
manlkins. That method is now obso-
| lete. When hand the players their
parts 1 give them a general idea of
what is wanted and encourage them
| TO express it in their own way This
| creates a feeling of ease rather than
or rear and brings out the best that is
IN them. I encourage them to give
careful attention to the entire re-
hearsals and offer suggestions regard
| ing their own work and the produce
ton as whole. NY own Judgment
IS understood to be final in all mat
tiers. This promotes a feeling of good
fellowship and equality, which is sell
dom abused and is of great assistance
to me.
10 sum it all up. my duties as d.
rector are numerous. 1 get the script
read IT; L cast the parts to the best
advantage; design the settings; make
out the plots for scenery, properties,
J lgntlng effects; coach the players in
thelr various parts; visit the business
! houses to induce the lending of neces-
sary furniture, bric-a- brac, draperies,
ETC.; fight with the transfer men to
get everything hauled to and from
the theater on time; play my own
parts; assume entire responsibility to
management and public; get about
| three and half nights sleep each
week, and explain to my friends why
l seldom accept invitations to dine"
Marshalrs Contemplate Series.
MarshalPs band is contemplating a
| series or band concerts, to be given in
the city park, in state fair week Thera
are a great many people over the state
VINO never have had the opportunity
or hearing Marshalrs band at its best
as at other state fairs twenty five
musicians from the organization fur
nished the music. In the event that
the present plans are carried through
the bands full membership, consisting
or fifty-eight musicians, will partici-
pate in these concerts. The concerts
Will be given in the evening beginning
at o'clock, and will be free to every
body.
| AhOuf the T0Iirfiu0 FrinceSs