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 RlALTo.
f>urItten for the United Press.)

NEW YORK, Dec. Anew YORK
wouldn't be New York without the
Hippodrome. II is the big city IN. lts
essence. Bigness 70 the thing thal
impresses one most with the aIs
OF the World" this seasons DILL IL
harder TO watch than a three-ring CIR
Gus. There is hardly a moment when
the stage isn't Just chochuA OF peo-
ple--and the Hippodrome has some
stage, too.
But aside from all the panoply ana
the pomp and glitter and lavtshness OF
display, the average theater-goer VIII
probably be most interested IN know
Ing 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. Concen-
trated brilliance from score or more
snotlights. TO say nothing OF dazzling
ly bright footlights has been hoodtng
the stage. Suddenly there Is mky
blackness, a soft whistle from the
stage, blare OF music from the OF
chestra, a moments pause-and DC.
hold O new scene, with a new set Oh
people on the stage and all the others
ynntehed utterly. -
One can't but wonder how In the
world people whose eyes are nxea
for the binding glare OF the stage
light ever manage TO grope their way
OF that enormous Hippodrome stage
when there Is total darkness. Try
leaving a brilliantly lighted room for
a totally dark one and see how hard
It Is to keep your sense OF direction.
How the Hippodrome stage people
manage II reveals one OF the reasons
for the success OF the Hippodrome at.
fractions. II Is painstaking care or
detail. The players are coached. They
stand in exactly the same spots on
that huge stage every night and have
been drilled to make hurried bee
line in exactly such-and-such direc-
tion when the blackness OF the change
comes. There is no confusion. The
people for the next scene rs ready and
waiting and can get TO II in the dark,
are scurrying about. There Is no whis-
tied signal: the clock work organiza-
ton OF the stage hands need none.
Their work is done on time.
The only disappointment this 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 hopelessiy lost in the maze OF
performers He could attract atten-
ton ir a three-ring circus-but not in
Bippodrome performance. Which
proves that a Hippodrome show is
bigger than 4 circus.
An old but ingenious plan IS adopt
ed by the producers OF Walker White
sides nelodrama, Mr. w." in maxi
ing 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-
fists on the stage.
The desired effect Is achieved
Through the use OF different colored
lights. II Is not well the same old
principle OF using light wall paper for
q room that is not well lighted; or an
airy much figured design for the nur-
sery; or a restful pattern for a libra
ny, and so on.
For instance, while "Wu" Is alone
I'm his room OF treasures, a golden
light pours down from the wings over
the scene. Then the woman for whom
rWu" has formed a violent passion
enters that room, the lights are chang
cd to a rosy pink. A light that blends
with ancient superstitious religions Is
diffufed over 'Wu" and his surround
jngs as the Chinaman bends to his
prayers before the symbols that typlfy
his gods While "wu" Is attending
hts devotions Bash Gregory" enters.
Slowly, as the Oriental's mind turns
from religious thoughts TO others OF
hate ind revenge and the lust to graf
fly his revenge, this light Is super
seeded by a leaden blue color that gives
the audience the feeling OF the change
which no words could portray
When ''Wu" fs 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 is
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. II Is fret. =.