The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-02
Dolly Attends Dress Rehearsal of "The
 Pirates of Penzdnce' and IS D-e-e-li9hted
By DOLLY DALRYMpLE

| A1fttt OOdg iCddys AilcHtlOn.
 Pianissimo andantino,' It was the sonorous baritone of MT.
 Robert Lawrence. the eminent director
 that greeted me last night, resonant and | strong, above the sound of iinglins glasses, the rhythmic beat of the piano,
 the hurrying and scurrying to and fro of
 the chorus, and the clash and chatter of sword and pistol, as l made my way "behind the scenes" through the stage entrance for the dress rehearsal of The Pirates of Penzance," the attrac- tive opera, which will be presented this l evening at the Jefferson for the benefit of the Woman's auxiliary of the Asso- ciate Charities.
 Guess I'll turn on the footlights so as to take some of the scare out of 'em' Mir. Monroe Meyer, the clever stage manager" of the Jefferson was saying as l crossed the stage just before the curtain went up on the first act Who'd 'ye think ye are and where dye think ye are going?' asked the big red headed policeman with his perfectly good badge on and his perfectly big feet but all policemen have big feet, haven't they? Anyway, this one has. and all but arrested me on the spot, because wouldn't state my case or try to prove an alibi, then and there
 Trembling like an aspen leaf, I pre- sently told my story.
 I'm just poor little newspaper person, Mir. Cop, and I don't mean no harm. Please let me see the show. so as I can write story bout it.
 "Surelp the red headed cop said. Gavin
 Just then I ran into the King" and, Gee! he's some king, believe me.
 A Pirate King he is, if you please, and he doesn't play the part of the king as if he thought somebody else was going to play the ace any old minute. Not he. He holds the trump card.
 All this inside information you will have gathered by this time was not acquired by viewing the rehearsal of "The Pi- rates,' like an ordinary, everyday hu- man being. in the orthodox manner. but from the viewpoint of the newspaper per son who never does things like anybody else.
 Ever been behind the scenes at a re- nedrSdl. NOT 1 thought not.
 It's a funny thing, but it's true that as soon as you get back stage" when the scenery is all a perfect scream, and the people are jumbled up into heaps, and there are all sorts of exits and "en- trances' and things like that, you com pletely lose your bearings
 You know of course, that there must be north, south, east and west lurking somewhere in the wings, but you are i'm, tha J.,rly for, af1y ono of hn a points of the circumference, and so when you get "put' you stay put" if you are right smart, because you feel like de- | serted little waif, not knowing which way | to turn or what to do.
 You know you came there, but how?
 You know you must leave-also howl
 There are doors e." and "R."
 There is a window opening, "L.'
 There is chair sitting at "R;'' ta- ble at "L"-but What tn h. does that spell to a mere newaper person?
 If you get a good stand, you'd better ] stay, because the chances are you'll run | into something unweildy and bump into.Cy." and so once stationed in tho | right wing" there 1t remained unti. | the rehearsal was over, listening, look ing, marvelling at the splendidly drilled | chorus, the clever principals, the per feet accompaniment and the dramatic | force and fire with which the "direc- tor had inspired his singers under the | beat of his powerful baton.
 Just as I was about to enjoy myself, and had fattened out like a Sewdisll awaiting events and not to be in anybody's way, To! and behold. here comes the electrician, who says peremptorily:
 Better step asidel I've got to work the switchboard. Red lights for this tableau! Clear out!"
 And
 Poor little newspaper person hides her self in another inconspicuous spot and waits.
 The curtain is up.
 The chorus men are clinking their glasses.
 MT. Lawrance is "baton-ing" grace fully.
 Behind the scenes the stage hands are shifting scenery" and saying things, but the music drowns whatever they are talking about-it may be me-but like Eva Tanguay. T don't care" be- cause the music has gone to my head and the singing has charmed my heart. and the swish and the swagger and the