The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-23

! Brady nodded his head to the
rhythm. He was standing with ere
foot on chair. one hand beating
out the time. Sometimes he would
90 far back in the pit Of the the
ater. watching Sheila.
Sometimes he would shout appro-
val though harsh criticisms were
more frequent. Sheila didn't mind
She knew Brady was severe because
he demanded me best.
She repeated tirelessly, until he
suddenly announced they were done
for the day.
She went to her dressing room
happily. Brady must be satisfied
with her work or he would not have
ended the rehearsal.
That in itself was triumph. II
gave her confidence and there is nc
quality more precious to the actor
or actress.
A chorus girl timidly offered con-
dolence for Brady's harsh words
Sheila laughed. Il don't mind" she
said. Bills all right"
She was weary, though. Every
muscle seemed to ache. She must GO
on with this tireless work until she
could dance without thinking about
1t, until the routine seemed effort
less.
There were solo rehearsals and
full chorus rehearsals daily. Then
came full cast rehearsals. At last
Mandrake announced, 1--WE are
ready for Atlantic City. The show
looks to me like a flop"
He always said that dolefully be-
fore his outstanding successes.
II
THE company Travelled to Allan
Il tic City for the tryout week.
There we're more rehearsals there.
Sheila endured loss of sleep, weari-
ness, the electric restlessness that
always precedes an opening night.
There we're wires for her from
Dick. She positively had forbidden
him to be present for the first per-
Torrance.
Il can't do my best with you
there" she told him. wait until we
bring the show to New York"
The first night came and the show
was not, as Mandrake had pre-
dicted, flop. 1t was praised glow
ingly by the newspapers. Sheila'S
name was in the headlines.
The company journeyed back tt
New York and Sheila thought thai
she never had been so tired.
Its a good thing" another mem
Der of the cast told her. 1--WE get
so tired we don't care whether the
show goes over or not"
Sheila did care. 1t was not fol
her own sake, but for Blind Jimmy
She felt that she must be a success!
for Jimmy. And for Dick, too.
She knew Dick would be proud o.
her He always had praised her, be.
lieVed in her ability. She visualizec
him in the audience, sliding from
his orchestra seat to come to heI
dressing room between the acts.
She could see him with Trevor
perhaps, or Dorothy, following every
tap of her flying feet as she
SKINNED over the stage. Oh, yes
she wanted to be a success for Dick
And so at last the opening nigh
arrived. There was Sheila's name
in the big electrical sign, "Sheilt
Shayne in Flying Flags" There
was her picture in the newspapers
Sheila Shayne starring in Flying
Flags"
Eve Samper came to see her late
in the afternoon. Sheila had beer
in bed most of the day, resting il
accordance with Mandrakes orders
Eve tried to relieve Sheila's worries
Just think tonight is another re-
hearsal," she counseled. pretend
you're in Atlantic City again. YOU
were a WOW there!"
Il know. But New York is diff
ferent."
you won't be. You'll be a knock
out. Everybody says so.'
I'VE departed soon and She'll;
IL tried once more to sleep. Sh
could not. She lay with her eye
closed, thinking about Dick. Sh
had not heard from him sine,
morning.
At $50 Sheila would arise, dress
and eat very light lunch. An hou
later she would drive to the theater
Her maid would be there, putterinl
about the dressing room, arranging
each cosmetic, each bit of appare
in readiness.
She just was leaving when tn,
telephone rang. Sheila heard Dick
voice over the wire. "Scared?" h
asked. IT was when I saw you
name in front of the theater."
"Oh, not" she told him stoutly
Not Bit" He would not know
that her hand was shaking.
Once in her dressing room, Shell;
barred all company. She was fright
ened, terribly frightened, and mucl
depended on her regaining he
cOmpOSure.
Her hands We're icy to the touch
Lucy, the maid, quiet and cheerful
comforted her.
You're going to be big success,
Lucy insisted. Sheila found hersel
dressed for the first act half al
hour before the curtain would go ur
Here are some kilograms" tn
maid told her, holding out stacl
OF colored envelopes.
There we're kilograms from
friends scattered throughout tn
country. Almost all of them wer
actors and actresses, people she hat
known during her years Of trouping
1t was good to read their gay, en-
couraging messages.
There was a knock at the doc
and the maid answered. Mandrake
came in briskly. How're you feel
ing9" he asked.
Scared" Sheila admitted.
That's fine!- I've never known
successful star who didn't have stag
fright before the curtain. But youv
nothing TO worry about. You're go
ing to be a big hit, little girl. L,