New Britain herald., 1926-12-20


Hence, it can readily be seen that
these men must be tireless workers,
often giving up months Of time be-
fore the show even gets to the re-
hearsal stage. The cast must be Sc
lected with an eye to beauty, singing
ability, comedy, and exceptional
talent In general. The scenery must
be impressive in the way Of lavish
ness. The music must be the catch
lest. the most tuneful and the very
latest. Costumes must be more
than adequate to make the ensem-
BILE impressive.
With the principals of the cast as
sured those in charge proceed to
the book writers, lyricists and COM
posers, who are selected with the
idea Of providing material suitable
to the particular talent of the people
In the cast. Then there Is the mat
ter of proper scenery, novelties,
lighting and the costume designing.
About a month before rehearsals
start, terror begins to enter the
souls of the amateurs. who would
fain be theatrical producers. The
songs selected do not seem to have
the proper lit. They may go fiat
The gags" sound rather blah. The
| talent so far selected lacks, en-
thusiasm not to mention ability.
| Something must be done, and quick
ly. And then Director Harry Gaa
body signs with relief. Rehearsals
begin, and rehearsals as everybody
probably knows, are hectic affairs.
They start off leisurely enough, but
as the time OF the first performance
draws near, the activity becomes al
most maddening. A glance into the
rehearsal hall provides interesting
sidelights. The principals form a
division unto themselves and are
taken in hand by the director who
reads the script of the story or the
arrangement of the program. The
chorus of $50 Is gathered in a group
and the lyricist proceed to play and
sing the words OF the song. Each
member Of the chorus is supplied
with a copy Of the words and is eX-
pected to memorize them as speed
lily as possible. The real work then
commences. Everybody works under
the autocratic rule of the director
who has assumed the role Of king.
While the director is watching the
leads rehearse, he must keep his
control of the chorus. He never
stops making suggestions and long
after the actors have gone home he
is on the Job getting things arranged
for the next rehearsal.
In the meantime, costumes are
being fitted, scenery is prepared, and
the props are being checked off as
they are supplied. A nervous tense
ness seizes the company as the day
for the dress rehearsal approaches.
There Is no more leisure. Every
thing is speed. Hours mean Moth
ing. Night after night the toiling
goes on. Tired, weary. and hoarse,
the plug along.
Some who began the long rehear-
sal grind are no longer with the
troupe. For one reason or another
they have dropped out of the show.
requirements are made and easily
fitted into the scheme of things,
such as 1t Is. and rehearsals go on
apaee. The time has arrived for
merger of the two groups-the
principals, who have been rehears-
ing by themselves, and the chorus.
The amalgamation process is no
sooner completed than the dress re-
hearsal is held.
The tribulations and worries at
this time are many. The scenery
doesn't seem to be ready. The cleo
trician reports grief" Costumes
aren't complete, slippers are miss
ing. The music is out Of key some
where. The orchestra is having diff
ficuty in getting the hang OF some
Of the "business." The back drop
doesn't hang properly because 1t Is
too short or too long. Time is pre-
cious. Orders are hurTiedly given
and somehow or others--it is hard
to explain, almost every item ap-
pears out of nowhere Just as things
look darkest. The dress rehearsal--
and what gloom, what gloom. The
comedy doesn't sound funny; the
music Is terrible, the dance NUM-
bers lack variety and pep; the seem
cry refuses to work: the lights arc
switched on at the wrong time; the
lights fail to blend. The whole
show looks like certain flzzle.
Plans are changed, numbers are
altered. The director and some Of
the actors have heated arguments,
Mysteries are introduced by some of
the tempermental ladies of the cast,
threats to quit are presented. Every
thing goes wrong, and in the wee
sma' hours OF the morning the dress
rehearsal finally drags to u close.
The night OF the show-the as
sembllng OF the troupe-the hustle
and hustle backstage-the gathering
of the folks out front-the hum of
conversation-the buzz in the lobby
the panicky hunt for costumes
the tuning up OF the orchestra-the
call to places on the stage--the
hush out front--the overture-that
horrible last minute feeling OF
fright-the soothing words Of the
direetor-the pounding OF the heart
the sudden darkness out front
the blare of the trumphets as the