Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants | Page 4

entry or a large parlor, separated by folding doors. If the entry is used, let the performers form their tableaux at the lower end; and when all is ready, the audience can be called from the parlors to witness the scene. A parlor with folding doors is undoubtedly the best place, as the doors can be slowly opened, which will give a better effect to the scene. Cover the wall back of the tableaux with black shawls, place the lights on a table at one side of the picture, and hide them from the view of the audience by placing a screen of thick cloth in front of them.
In forming up a tableau, lights and shades should be studied; in fact, this is the main secret of producing effects, and by managing the lights about the stage correctly, you can throw parts of your picture in shadow, while other portions are light. Care should also be taken not to have too great a variety of colors in a picture. The showy costumes should be intermingled with those of modest appearance, and the lightest characters, as a general rule, should be placed in the background to relieve the dark ones; those in the background should be placed on platforms. If there are many figures in the piece, it will be necessary to have a number of forms, of various heights, placed in the background--in this manner all of the figures will be seen.
The scenery, furniture, and machinery of each piece should be arranged previous to the entrance of the performers on the stage. Each performer should be called on separately, and placed in position. By adopting this plan, every tableau can be formed without noise or confusion. When the position is once taken, it should be kept, unless it is a very difficult one.
The stage manager should take his position at the front of the stage, and see that each one is in his proper place. He should prohibit laughter or conversation among the performers, unless any one wishes explanations in regard to the piece. He should be strictly obeyed in all matters referring to the tableaux; and when he has properly adjusted every thing on the stage, he should remove to the ante-rooms, and see that the lights, music, &c., are ready. He should then ring a small bell, and the announcer in the hall will have a programme of the tableaux, and will announce the piece; and if there is any accompanying poem to be read, it will be his duty to read it. The manager will then ring the second bell; this will be a signal for the performers on the stage to take their positions, and for the lights to be turned down in the hall. In thirty seconds after the second bell, the manager will ring a third time, which will be a signal for the curtain attendant to draw up the curtain, which should rise slowly to the top of the frame, and be kept up about thirty seconds. Each tableau should be exhibited twice, and in some cases three times. After the last exhibition, the performers should quietly proceed to the ante-rooms, and immediately dress for the next tableau. The manager and assistants will see that the stage is cleared of the scenery, and new scenery adjusted for the next piece. It will be necessary to work with rapidity, as there are many things to perform which in the aggregate will take much time. Large programmes should be placed in each dressing-room, so that the performers will be able to tell in which tableau they are to perform, without inquiring of the manager. Each performer should be furnished with a large trunk to keep his wardrobe in; and when a change of costume is made, care should be taken that each one places his costumes in his own trunk. If this plan is not followed, before the exhibition is through, many articles will be missing, which will retard the performance.
Each piece of machinery, furniture, scenery, &c., should have a proper place where it should be left when not in use. Nails, pins, hammers, and other articles which come in constant use, should be kept in a large box near the stage. By working systematically, every thing will move on with clockwork nicety, and all confusion be avoided. Colored fires should be burnt in the ante-rooms at the sides of the stage; smoke and clouds should be produced at the back, or in the centre of the stage. The preparation can be ignited by fastening a lighted fuse to a long rod. Large tableaux require all the light than can be produced. Medium pictures should be shaded in different parts. Statuary tableaux require a soft and mellow light. Night scenes require but little light, which