New Britain herald., 1929-04-13
.ORCHESTRAS ALERT
 ID STAGE CHANGES
Leader Must Adjust Music to
 Spirit Of Show

Spirit Of Show
 | Constantly on the alert for sud l den and unexpected cues which or- 1 cur several times during a moving . picture or vaudeville show. the di-
 rector ot theatrical orchestra has { q -racking experience al times ! trying 10 adapt himself 10 the ! changes so that the entertainers and 1 those entertained will be satisfied. | This and other similar experience are part of the everyday lie ot 4 1 leader, Hons Wagner leader of the i strand orchestra declares.
 Vaudeville people seldom arrive 1 before the morning of their first afternoon performance, On some 1 occasions they arrive during the 1 forenoon after aIl-night trips and sometimes they do not arrive unul after the show has started. The 1 problem of how the orchestra is 10 [ handle each number on tho hll is i laid on the shoulders of the or cheStra leader.
 Usually rehearsaIs are held Mon- day and Thursday mornings. Ac- cordins to Mr. Wagner the acts nev- er follow exactly he trend they plan in their rehearsal and never during the entire run do they use [ j.. cues. T. they feel enthusiastic, eS- pecially during the dancing parts, they require fast music.
 Sometimes there is no time to 9 over the music and when the actors "rriEe in the afternoon the only thing for the orchestra leader to do IS 10 read over the score and swing through without the aid of tips or cues from the entertainers. When they arrive in the afternoon and ap- pear 10 be cranky or disa greeable Mr. Wagner said he takes into con- sideratlon the fact that possibly they might have been travelling all night and are tired and weary.
 When the orchestra goes off key or fails 10 keep proper time for the dancers, # is never the accomplished or high class act which makes such loud protests that the audience in the gallery can hear, Those who are far from the top in the rating ot vaudeville acts make the complaints.
 Life of a Song
 Nh, N4gr4ar D t5f, had not been successful change after the first or second performance and
 make decided hit. Usually a change in the song or rearrange- ment of the act is benoticiaf
 Asked how long song really lives. he said if q song Is a popular hit and .s constantly sung or played, the longest II lasts is three months. If the song is not so popular it wlH last longer.
 A difficult task which is not al- ways appreciated by the audience is the sudden changes which are n>c- ossary in the news reels. Usually the 1eel Is flashed on the screen prey!- ous to the first performance and the leader adapts his music accordingly
 Music for every portion Of 6 feature picture IS received in advance, ac- cording to Mr. Wagner, but if the orchestra were 10 play every song 1t would have to have a library oi music which would cost thousands or dollars. Instead MT Wagner sub stiutes music which is Of the same type as that prescribed.
 His one motive in arranging his music, MT. Wagner said. is 10 avoid dlverting the attenton of the audi ence from the picture When there Is action fast song IS played. A shit will probably be made 10 q | love song and then another shift 10 q Jazz number.
 Outline of Cue sheet
 Tn the picture New Years Eve which played at the Strand thnater last week approximately 50 numbers
 were prescribed. Following is a brief ] outline Of the cue sheet. as t IS call 1 ed; At screening-the theme song i Waiting" the last day Of the old 1 year "AuId Lang Syne;' Child $ vision Of store window. Jingle ! Bells:' Closeup Of girls picture. 1 "Pensee;" Exterior Of Child's restau- 1 rant. Spark lets" lady sees vision
 Of empty stocking in cup, "Devo- i tion," change 10 scene Of child in i bed, "A Bedtime Talc;" lady seen i on street. ''Thoughts of Tore = young man with money leaves bank. break for me" theme song; girl i picks up wallet. 'Exultation;" two young men seen in automobile. theme song; girl leaves two young i men, Happy Moods" title. Did you hear that Marjorie Lee fell heir to s1010. Comic Conversation
 Marjorie Arrives Home. "Gaiety:' | Marjorie Leaves Boys Room, ''Th. { Happy Lucky" boy wakes up ! A Merry Happy End" man enters
 with turkey. "En Niste;" girl finds money missing from coat pocket l 'Impatience: title You low cheat.
 'Turbulence;" I'll Give You Until Tomorrow, Heart to Heart. ' ! Good Evening Mir. Warren" Don't i Hold Everything" Larry Hamon ] goes 10 telephone ''Badinage: | change Of scene 10 gambling tabl" i Dramatic Suspense" title ''He l Switches to Crooked Dice" "Agita'- ' cd Misterioso; Hamon seen at vic 1 trola, "Ondes Mysterieuses; til" Happy New Year" "To the Res ! cue;" title. Pardon Me. You're | Wanted 7 Look Out" Marjorie en- ters gambling house. Glad Rag i Doll;" Hamon hands Marjorie wine glass. June BreeZes;" three people seen in taxi. The Conspirators: ., | flash back to Marjorie and Hamon.