The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-05-10

Froh man, wlckedly.
Jarvis turned 10 look al Bambi In
HIS earnest way. He marked the
likeness, again, himself
II shall play II just ms you read
Il. Mrs. Jocclyn." said the girl who
was cast for the lead.
you will greatly improve on my
Francesca. I'm sure" Bambi nod
ded 10 her.
Parts were distributed. much dis
cussion followed as 10 character
drawing and business. then they
separated 10 meet for rehearsal the
next day at 1890.
Day after day they assembled AZ
the same hour and slowly built up
the structure of the play. Many
nights Jarvis and Bambl worked
on new scenes, or the rearrange'
ment OF the old ones.
In late March the date Of the
production was set. II gave Bambi
unbelievable pleasure to read the
announcements on the billboards,
and 10 stand In front OF the three
sheets In the foyer OF the theatre.
She wrote Ardeiia full directions
in regard 10 packing the Professor
dress clothes, she told her the train
they we're TO take. she worked out
every detail. so that nothing might
be left 10 the sieyelike memories
OF the principals on this foreign
journey.
She ordered a new frock for her
self, and succeeded In getting Jarv
measured for new dress clothes.
Then she threw herself. heart and
soul. into the last few days Of work
at the theatre. helping 20 polish
and strengthen the play. The night
OF dress rehearsal came. and with
IL now development for her con
alteration and management.
Dress rehearsal was called al
midnight. as two OF the principals
were playing in other theatres.
There was an air OF suspense and
confusion on the stage, where the
new sets were being put on. which
threw Jarvis into a cold sweat OF
terror. II only added one degree TO
Bambfs mounting excitement. She
and Jarvis made their way 10 the
front Of the house. where Mr.. F'roh'
man, the leader OF the orchestra.
and a few other people interested
In the production were assembled.
Il never realized before how
many people. how much work and
money and brain 70 Into the pro.
duction Of the simplest comedy for
one nights amusement she said
TO SIR. Frohman.
"And yet managers are always
blamed because they don't take
more chances on new playwrights."
he smiled.
Jarvis looks as II he we're walk
Ing TO the guillotlne. doesn't hey"
1T Is a strain. isn't Il. Jocelyn.
You get used 10 Il after few first
nights"
Jarvis nodded. wetiing his dry
lips with a nervous tongue.
The curtain went down and
came up. The first act began.
Dambi scarcely breathed. Jarvis
could be heard all over the house.
The first part OF the act hitched
along and had TO be repeated: the
stage manager came out and scold.
ed. while Mr.. Frohman called direc-
lions from the front Bambi turned
TO Jarvis.
ITS going to be q. failure" she
said.
"oh. don't say that" he fairly
groaned.
Don't be discouraged" said Mr..
Frohman. noting their despairing
looks. Dress rehearsals are usual.
~ the limit"
But IL can't 30 like this, and
succeed" BambI walled.
Don't you worry. II won't 60
like this"
The night wore on. mlsersbly.
for the authors. Everything had
TO be done over-lines were for
gotten-eve-b body was In a ner-
yous slew.
Tho awful part OF II is that
we've done all we can do" mcaned
Bsmbi. III they ruin It. we can't
prevent them
Wen make them rehearse all
day tomorrow" said Jarvis, fierce
ly. They were better than this
two weeks ago"
The end OF the agony finally
came. The stage manager assem-
bled the weary company and gave
them few select and sarcastic
remarks as TO their single and col.
lective failure. Mr.. Frohman add
ed few words. and ordered them
all TO dismiss the play from their
minds until the morrow night. |
Bambi tried to say word OF en-.
couragement and thanks TO them.
but In the midst OF II she broke
down and wept.