The Topeka state journal., 1916-05-20


is practically closed in the east, this
former Topekan, a good looking young
chap with metropolitan air and the
quiet reserve of the man who knows
his business, comes back to the home
roof tree and consents TO prepare
troup of local actors to present a
benefit play.
In speaking of rehearsals among
professional players, he said: In
getting ready to put on play in New
York, the preliminary work is done
at rehearSalS that begin about 1880
or l 1 in the forenoon, continue until
l, when the actors go out for a little
luncheon, and begin again at and
last until about in the evening The
finishing work requires much longer
hours in rehearSing. In the BelaSco
com mpany, the meals are sent in and
served on the stage, to obv1ate the
waste of time in going out to eat. 1t
is only by going over and over the
partS that the rut psychologists tell
US about, is worn in the brain, and the
smooth performance of the play iS
assured, because it has taken on the
nature of habit. In putting on THE
Lady of Dreams" play of consider
able elaborateness, though not i'm
mense as those things go in New York,
the final rehearsal lasted all night,
and the same work was continued the
which have been interested, as many
as fifty people, besides the actors,
were required to see to the mechanical
details of the staging"
Giving some of the personal
glimpses of some of the big men in
theatrical affairs in the east, Mr..
Shelton told of some of Belasco's
methods of obtaining just the exact
scenic result he was after. In one
case 'he had hundreds of pieces of
kitchen tinware spread over the
stage, and he spent an entire day
going over the stock from which he
selected about a dozen pieces to hang
in a kitchen. which could be seen
from the audience through a partly
opened door. No detail was too small
for his consideration. At another
time he had a company in Balti-
more for their first performance; for
in New York, you must know, the big
| productions are put on first in near
/ by city, where it is sort of tried on
| the dog" to see how it will take and
to get any faults it may possess
weeded out before it is presented in
the great big town. In Baltimore
Belasco stumbled upon a little shop
| where antiques were sold. He was
| too busy to stop to select the things
he wanted at that time; so he bought
/ his choice of the things he would
use at his leisure. He had the sta ge
stuff packed up by the draymen. so
that his own helpers could devote
shop. He finally went over the stock,
selected what he wanted and threw
the rest away
Mr.. Shelton considers the amateur
players he is preparing to present
| Satan Came Also" the comedy writ
ten by Mrs. ]. F. farrell are doing
some good work and will be able to
put on a creditable bit of work. The
play he considers a good farce COM
edy that will make a strong bid for
popularity.
I. I. +
The Kappa Sigma men of Wash
| burn entertained at an informal recep-
ton Friday afternoon observing Moth
crs' Day, in accordance with their
yearly custom. The guests were the
mothers of the men of the chapter,
the young women friends of the MEM
bers and the mothers of the girls, and
members of the faculty.
The decorations were palms. ferns
and spring flowers. and red roses were
given as favors. Halls orchestra fur
nished music during the hours of the
party.
The guests were received by Mr..
Earl Trobert, Mr.. Clayton Kline, and
Mr. Warren Humphrey. An out of
town guest was Mrs. Neil Mcleod, of
Valley Falls, who is visiting her son,
+
Mrs. James s. Hayes will be hostess
at meeting of her bridge-luncheon
club next Tuesday.
r =
The Monday Whist club will meet
next Monday with Mrs. NJ H. Ham,
matt, at her home in West Tenth
| avenue.
+ I. +
Mrs. George Burroughs. of Burlin-
game, entertained the Crochet club of
Topeka at her home Friday. The
members motored to Burlingame in
the morning, and remained for the
day. Mrs Burroughs, who belonged
to the club when her home was in
Topeka, retains her membership, and
entertains the club every spring at her
home in Burlingame-
Z = +
The sub-senior class of the high
school gave a party Friday night in
the high school for the seniors The