Arizona republican., 1914-04-09
|S EMBARRASSING
 UNSEEN ACTORS
Three Important Characters in ''Secret Service" Are Never Seen by the Audi ence This Tells Who They Are

Many of the parts in sSecret Ser vice. require special fitness; in fact demand qualities born in the actor and not acquired by study or train ing. When Wm. Gillette wrote his wonderful war story he had this in mind, and in his instructions to the producer dwells at some length on the necessity for gseat care in fill ing certain of the roles. Gillette in- sists that there be no favoritism in the selection of such characters, and especially requests that fitness be the standard.
 Director Maitland Davies, under whose supervision Secret Service" will be offered the Phoenix public on April IA, 15 and Is, has worried himself not little over the choosing of several of these roles, and it was not until last night that he was ready to announce who they would be. He secured the positive approval of the Elks show committee before he would consent to make the names public.
 For instance there is General Chesney," who is constantly at the front, directing the bullets of the confederate soldiers. His place is one of danger, for at any minute a fed eral cannonball is likely to mow him down as he dashes bravely along his lines, shouting orders and spreading inspiration. Unfortunately he never appears on the stage. Captain J.. L. B. Alexander has consented, after much pressure, to do this part.
 George Varney." who lies dying upstairs, while the play goes on ra- pidly on the ground floor, is strong acting. To carry out the plot he must lie dying for several hours. The work of the part is severe, and be it said with regret the audience never sees him. George Patrick Driscoll, who once took the part of a lover in a play, will be the fairhaired dy- ing boy.
 And then there is Jefferson Da- wis" president of the cOnfederacy. He never gets before the footlights. but he has great deal to do with Secret Service It is part re- quiring great executive ability. He is the individual whose orders are forged by Captain Thorne." He cleverly permits the captain to do this in order to carry out the plot of the play H. J. Biggs. who will decorate Phoenix for the Elks' state reunion. will be Jefferson Davis
 Director Davies is holding secret rehearsals with these characters in order that their great work may be a complete surprise to both the au- dience and the other members of the cast. He has steadfastly refused to permit those who are managing the show to see any of them work out
 While Alexander, Driscou and Biggs, as well as others whose roles are not so important, are doing con- fidential practice, the remainder of the caste is rehearsing night and day to attain a degree of perfection that will make this the biggest and best production the Elks have yet given. For the first time, Director Davies put the entire cast through all four acts last night, He was especially well pleased at the con clusion and so expressed himself.
 Tickets for Secret Service" will go on sale Saturday morning at g o'clock at the Central pharmacy. Those who have any special prefer ence as to seats should be on hand early. as the demand for seats pro- misses to be even greater than in former years.