The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-26
VAUDEVILLE BACK
STAGE PRESENTS
UNIQUE PICTURE
Property Man and RehearsaIS
interesting to Laymen, But
Are Vital Parts in Making
Show of Week.
eY FREDERIC J. AAsklN.

WASHINGTON. d. c.. Nov. 26.--
What goes on behind the scenes In
the movies and the drama Is an old
story, but the spotlight is rarely To-
cused on the hidden side of vaude-
vile.
The vaudeville player differs from
the actor In a three act play In that
he has no manager travelling with
his production u take care of trunks,
scenery, and music. Nearly every
week he plays on different stage.
with different furniture about him,
and a different orchestra in front,
and II anything goes wrong with his
act, he Is responsible,
Ii you watch the stage entrance to
vaudeville house any Monday morn
ing, yotiNwll see the actors for the
week going in to rehearsal. About 3
o'clock they begin to drift in and
wander about the stage, consulting
the property man and the electrician.
locating dressing rooms, renewing ac-
quaintances with other players who
happen to be on the bill that week.
The electrician goes about jottlng
down on a chart which ones want a
spotlight, or colored lights, or any
other special effect. Carpenters and
painted like forests and city streets
from the dim upper regions.
The property man has received in
advance from each set of actors II
plan of the scene showing what prop
critics will be needed. If bust of
George Washington, a red bandann
handkerchief, or a special curtain Is
used in an act the actors carry 1t
with them. But ordinary furniture
and settings are supplied by the the
alter.
The plan which the property man
holds, perhaps, calls for studio. full
stage. Two telephones. telephone
bell, three gold chairs, piano lamp.
curtains at window" The property
man says these are ordinary pieces
OF stage furniture and can oil be got
out Of the property room just off the
stage where live" props-those often
used--are kept.
The plan for the next act, however,
calls for colonial kitchen.
Hardest kind of n set to get to-
gether," remarks the property man.
Have to go up to the store room"
An elevator shoots us up to the
fifth floor Of the theater to a room
stocked like we'll equipped old attic
or n second hand furniture store. He
digs out a spinning wheel from under
pile Of wicker porch chairs, and
kettle is discovered back of a throne
chair, all red "elvet and gilt paint
AZ made that throne" says the
property man. TOOK the legs Of an
old square piano for the legs, and the
pedals for the arms. | made this
grandfather's clock. too" and he
points to a tall wooden, cardboard
faced clock. which at a few feet
would certainly deceive anyone.
i've got 10 get the rain apparatus
while I'm up here" he mumbes from
the depths of heap Of chairs and
tables. Here it is. You see it's
round wooden pan with handful OF
shot in II. When YOU rattle ii around,
II sounds just like rain. For SURF we
use this wire netting box with oyster
shells inside You rock it steadily
back and forth to got the effect Of
the roll OF the waves. We bang
bass drum for thunder, and drop this
bucket of glass and iron scraps for
a crash Off stage. TO get the effect
Of approaching horses hoofs, We beat
two coCoanut shells---on a carpet for
turf, or on piece of concrete for
street.
Ever see stage books? We take
n round piece Of wood like broom
handle, and split it, and paint each
half to look like the back Of a book
The halves are glued 10 the shelves
of a bookcase. Most Of our props
are bought, though"
When we descend. the stage looks
and sounds more chaotic than over.
for rehearsal with the orchestra has
just begun. A rowboat is being put