Evening journal., 1922-11-09
Big Cast Puts Finishing
Touch on Merchant, of
Venice"
BELASCO DOES
THE DIRECTING


I field as shylock. right in our midst
The opening Is scheduled for tomor
row night. There will be a matine,
performance on Saturday. After 1
few preliminary weeks on the road
the play will open in New York jus
before the Christmas holidays foi
lts metropolitan run.
In IT'S size, much resembling a cir
Gus train, the production arrived
here last Sunday morning IN foui
cars. Arrangements had been made
with Manager =. G. Finney, OF the
Playhouse. for the entire week and
the anal curtain was hardly down on
The Merry Whirl" before the corps
OF Belasco carpenters were busy on
the stage. Sunday and Monday
were occupied in getting the set
tings and properties In place at the
Playhouse and In line" rehearsals
In the grill room OF the dupont
Hotel Sunday evening. the regu-
lar costume rehearsals started They
Will continue up to the last moment.
Wilmington has witnessed the
opening Of many plays that were
Afterwards successful on Broadway.
but so far as IS known this Is the first
time the Playhouse has been selected
By noted producer for his final re-
hearsais and Il IS also the first time
that the city has entertained one Of
the most famous theatrical STATS In
the country. headed by Mr.. Belasco
personally. In all there are about a
hundred and fifty people here with
the production, including players.
the mechanical departments and
extra musicians.
II there Is a buster place in town
than the Playhouse. that place would
DO hard 10 find. The opportunity
offered to drop in on one of the re-
hearsals was an experience.
The foyer OF the theatre had been
converted into a costuming depart
meDt. -Four sewing machines
In the excitement of last
minute fittings; costumes OF lords
and ladies'. extravagant in velvet and
gold. lay in heaps on the floor. Up
and down the corridor drifted gem
.lemep of Venice and ladies straight
but of a picture of medieval Italy.
A -bright-faced youngster In striped
lights was demonstrating his ability
10 walk on his hands, TO a doubling
circle; in every conceivable way the
lesser members of the caste try 20
while away the time that they are
not on the stage. There is much
waiting-for the scene painters TO
put q finishing dab here and there.
for the electricians 10 experiment
with O light effect, for the orchestra
TO synchronize a bit OF the score
with a particular scene; in fact, tbs
is OF one or two intense
" busy groups rushing through this
work so that someone else's work
may proceed. Everyone shows the
strain OF the last fevorish days be-
tore the curtain rises for an audi
snce.
Inside the theatre the house lights /
we're extinguished. for the rehear- |
lal OF a scene was in progress And /
here, In the center of the orchestra.
lis head and shoulders silhouetted
.5d4hSt thc AibhAou StoStf WIS lawn
8e,asco.
Mr.. Beissco might we'll be mlstak-
n for a prime minister. a kindly
clergyman. or a genial--well. bank
r. He is rather short OF stature
nd heavy-set. But the distinguish
ng thing about him is his face,
which radiates kindness and pa
ernalism that do not detract from
he keeness and cheariness OF his
yes. And. Of course, the thick
hatch OF sllver-gray hair. by which
Ie Is recognizable TO those who
now his picture, gives him distinc- ;
ion.
Even the strain Of long hours Of J
edious rehearsal did not seem 10 j
ave affected the moderation for !
which he is known among theatrical Z
eople. He looked very tired. But Z
q spite OF all the little annoyances ,
nth which he had 20 contend and
he seemingly endless repetltions OF y
mall parts OF the scene. he never
nee lost patience. Not even one OF ,
he mob" who two or three times !
lade II necessary to so over an easy
II. received a harsh word. Always
r. Belasco showed himself in every
-ay the natural gentleman. Next q,
, that he seems to be the kindly
lther Of his force. There are his 7
girls" and boys" who work with :
i'm rather than for him.
The curtain Is down. The curtain ,
up" announced Mr.. Bolasco. It :
}. =
dead. Long live the king" And +,
ZEN the rehearsal OF the scene =
-arted over again. The producer
Ink into an orchestra seat and
'atched. A minute or so and he was
n his feet.
Halt haiti" he started for the
tage.
"Now that isn't right" he said.
You are walking just as ~ I had
Ned every step for you. Don't do
that way. Try II again"
Again the entrance was repeated.
nd then another time.
Now try it with the orchestra -
The house lights went up ana the
rohestra OF 80 musicians started
he prelude TO the scene. Then the
ghts died out and tho special cur
ain began to discover the stage.
NO MOI" called the producer.
Don't jerk that curtain. Pun It
p gently. Burke Ito one of his as
Istants), tell them not 10 handle
hat rope like sailors Try it again"
And so the rehearsal continued.
he cue for Mr.. Warfield's entrance ,
as reached. He stared out on the
age.
David, you're late" called Mr. ]
II