Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-28

HSOuVA ducing experienced great deal of diff
E@y&N Guilty with situation at the end OF the
MS9v9N second act. For several days the situa-
(EH6SGA ton gave me much bother, and, worse
&lHSA STILL it seemed as if the specific idea in it
that euding me was destined to elude
for good and ALL figured out the case in its every
phase; but something something could not lay my
hands in the way of analysis-remained wrong with
this particular dramatic episode. The lines of the play
at this point appeared to be satisfactory, and there
complaint at the way the actors were inter-
pretng them; but became thoroughly impressed with
realization that the entire climax of the piece which
rested the situation in question: would go tor naught
unless the mysterious something could be ferreted
out and rectified.
One day hit upon the test idea OF having the man
and who playing the scene go through the
action without speaking line. No sooner did the
actress make her first silent in the trial demon
straton than in flash just where the difficulty
lay. The ciacterc episode, realized would gain It's
added force not in words nor yet in acton,-1n the
ordinary of the term,-but in facial expression.
called the electrician and ordered him to throw the
features of the into strong yet subtle relief at
this moment in the play with the aid of baby
very small spotlight. Then | eliminated two whole
speeches from the and caused the actress to I'M
part the meaning of those speeches to the audience by
of facial expression this facial expression to be
heightened and emphasized with the aid of the tiny
centered ray of light. The effect instantaneous,
and the scene subsequently made deep impression.
WITH this elementary illustration | may suggest to
" the reader the increasing Importance of light in
its present relation acting and through acting to the
drama. Light is of prime consequence IN the theater
of today. Through a development of its dramatic
possibilities our drama has made wonderful strides.
Through experiments, improvements, and inventions
in light effects and through the application OF the
results of such study drama has gained in force i'm
measurably. In the olden time of the theater, when
the stage was shrouded in darkness, drama could be
conveyed only by sound 1t then rested IN the voice
alone. Gradually with the introduction OF artificial
light dramatic adjunct the voice became OF less
and less Importance Comparatively speakng) and the
features. the real weapons of drama, into their
own.
To project my meaning quickly, imagine woman in
a room in complete darkness. The says, Il m
worried Take the woman into the same room
and allow the glow of reading lamp to fall full her
features. Let the woman repeat, Il am worried
Hear the words and note her accompanying expression.
OF course the effect is heightened dramatically Obvl
Gus, but true. Now let the woman say nothing; but
let her convey her state of anxiety by the expression of
her counenance. The effect is heightened even more.
Analyze from dramatic viewpoint of Illumination In
the first instance have voice alone in the second
we have voice and light in the third we have light
alone Light rlunphS; for the room OF which we have
been speaking remember, may be room shown on the
stage.
To proceed with this same method of illustration let
us suppose the disclosed the stage careeSsy
lighted. The woman's features subjected at the
critical moment in point to stronger application OF
light than that which and has been bathing the entire
through the previous action OF the play What
effect does the beholder get? Nothing more than
"half effect" Why? Because his eye has become
customed the general monotonous light of the stage,
and the womans features refuse to accentuate them
selves on his mental rena. Without his knowledge by
the subtle application of cautious ray of light throw
the woans countenance into slight relief against the
pervadng light of the stage, and you will literally
shoot the sense of the womans anxiety into his eyes,
and through his eyes into his heart The way to an
adienca,s heart more clearly be hlazed through