The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-04
MECHANICS aid
TO SUCCESS OF
|N.Y.HIPPODROME
Marvellous Quick-Change Acts
Made Possible by Careful
Drilling
MARCELINE PROVES
BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
Most Famous Clown in World IS
OF Form This Season, Says
Writer
by BEAU RlATO.
1890 e. a.. lInttAd Press

VA
NEW YORK, Dec. Anew YORK
wouldn't be New York without the
Hippodrome. II Is the big city IN us
essence. Bigness ts the thing lhal
impresses one most with the Wars
OF the World" this seasons BILL Us
harder 10 watch than three-rlng CIR
Gus. There is hardly moment When
ina stage isn't Just chockfuH OF. peo-
pie---and the Hippodrome has some
stage, too. oa
but aside from all the panoply ana
the nomp and glitter and lavishness OF
display, the average theater'goe. VIII
probably be most interested IN know
Inc how In the world three or four
hundred people massed In intricate
formations on the huge stage ever
managed to skip out into the wings
during the scene shifting. Conceh,
rated brilliance from score or more
4 spotlights, TO say nothing OF aazzIhs
Nv bright footlights has been flooding
the stage. Suddenly there Is mky
blackness, soft whistle from the
stage, a blare of music from the Or
chestra, a moments pause-aha oe,
hold a new scene. with new SET Oh
people ON the stage and all the others
Vanished utterly. A.
One can't but wonder how in the
world people whose eyes are nxed
Tor the binding glare OF the stage
light ever manage 10 grope thelr way
on that enormous Hippodrome stage
when there is total darkness. lfy
leaving a brilliantly lighted room lot
totally dark one and see how nara
y Il Is to keep your sense OF dlrecuon.
How the Hippodrome stage peopie
manage IL reveals one OF the reasons
for the success OF the Hippodrome at
fractions. II is painstaking care OF
detail The players are coached. Ihey
stand In exactly the same spots on
that huge stage every night ana nave
been drilled to make a hurried pee
line in exactly such-and-such direc-
tion when the blackness of the change
comes. There is no confusion Inc
people for the next scene ts ready ana
waiting and can get TO It In the DARK
are scurrying about. There Is no WINS
tied signal; the clock work organlza'
tion OF the stage hands need none.
Their work is done on time.
The only disappointment tails year
Is Narceline. most famous OF all
clowns. He wanders aimlessly
Through part OF the performance, and
painstakingly tries TO get laugh. But
he Is hopelessly lost in the maze OF
performers. He could attract atten-
\ ton IN three-ring circus-but not in
Hippodrome performance. Which
proves that Hippodrome show Is
bigger than 4 circus.
An old but ingenious plan Is adopt
ed by the producers Of Walker White
sides melodrama, "Mr. W." In max
ling the audience feel rather than see
the action Of the play. The plan Who'll
~ succeeds in thus diffusing through
the audience the atmosphere that ex-
lists on the stage.
The desired effect Is achieved
Through the use OF different colored
lights II Is not we'll the same old
principle of using light wall paper for
room that is not well lighted: or an
airy much figured design for the nur.
sery: or a restful pattern for libra.
~, and so on.
For instance, while "Wu' Is alone
In his room OF treasures, a golden
light pours down from the wings over
>the scene. Then the woman for whom
s"Wu" has formed violent passion
enters that room, the lights are chang
\ ed TO rosy pink. A light that blends
with ancient snperstitious religions is
1iffused over "Wu" and his surround
ings as the Chinaman bends to his
prayers before the symbols that typify
hts gods. While "Wu" is attending
his devotions Basil Gregory" enters.
Slowly, as the Oriental's mind turns
from religious thoughts to others OF
hate and revenge and the lust to graf
sjfy his revenge, this light Is super
seeded by q leaden blue color that gives
the audience the feeling OF the change
which no words could portray. !.
When "Wu" is dying. CHASTITY pale
yellow lights. such as from time i'm.
memorial have been thrown on expir-
ing stage heroes and villains. are
Thrown on him. Into THIS yellow hue ls
Injected great splotch OF red which
falls directly on the body after death.
The audience does not have TO have
some one come on and announce in
tragic tones the demise OF the princi.
pal. It is fret.