Evening star. [volume], August 19, 1906, Page 6, Image 18

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
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WHA T 'S 5ZGITA TING THE G Q T?
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PROBABLY those persons who only
occasionally regale themselves by
a visit to the "home of melo
drama," where theatrical "thrill
ers" are presented at popular
prices, have had their curiosity aroused
Aurlng a performance by hearing a vigorous
rapping which seems to emanate from the
top gallery just as a demonstration on the
part of the audience is subsiding. The dem
onstration may be an outburst of enthu
siastic applause In approval of the hero
when he declares, with uplifted hands and
rolling eyes, "I wlIJ bring that scoundrel to
Justice If It takes the last dr-r-op of meh
heart's bo-lud." Or It may be a storm of
eloquent hisses expressing the dislike of
the audience for the black-mustached vil
lain?he always wears a black mustache?
when he whispers In sepulchral tones to his
b-a-a-d accomplice: "Choke de che-ild and
conceal de evidence of our c-r-lme!" But
whether the manifestation la one of ap
proval or of aversion the vigorous pound
log of a cudgel against the gallery railing
can be plainly heard above the cheers or
hisses of the Intensely Interested spectators.
It is only in the theaters devoted to pro
duction of popular-priced melodrama that
this official "rapper" may be heard nowa
days, and to the stranger within such halls
of entertainment the pounding frequently
Is a cause of speculation, but the regular
patrons, who delight In the sensation of
having their blood congealed In their veins
at frequent Intervals, are thoroughly fa
miliar with the rapping, and to them it
has a meaning. To these latter auditors
the person who wields the cudgel Is the
chairman of the official committee on ap
plause, as It were, and as such his deci
sions as to the length of a demonstration,
expressing either approval or disapproval.
Is treated with deference. When he pounds
on the railing It Is a signal that the dem
onstration should cease and that the audi
ence should sit up and take notice, for there
Is something Just as good or better yet to
come. And the auditors obejr?
This Institution of the chairman of the
committee on applause In theaters is not a
new one by any means. Formerly he was
not confined to the popular-priced amuse
ment housos, but his pounding was heard In
the high-class theaters as well. In this con
nection It is interesting to note that nearly
200 years ago this same "rapper" In the the
aters was the subject of one of Joseph Ad
dison's delightfully humorous essays In the
Spectator. Addison discussed the species
under the title of "The Trunk-Maker at the
Play" as follows:
"There is nothing which lies more within
the province of a spectator than public
shows and diversions, and as among these
there are none which can pretend to vie
?with those elegant entertainments that are
exhibited In our theaters, I think It partic
ularly incumbent orf me to take notice of
everything that Is remarkable in such nu
merous and refined assemblies,
"It Is observed that of late years there
has been a certain person In the upper gal
lery of the playhouse who. when he is
pleased with anything that Is acted upon
the stage, expresses his approbation by a
loud knock upon the benches or the waln
?cot, which may be heard over the whole
theater. This person ts commonly known
by the name of the 'trunk-maker In the
upper gallery." Whether Is be that the
blow ho gives on these occasions resembles
that which Is often heard ln%tlie shops of
such artisans or that he was supposed to
have been a real trunk-maker, who, after
the finishing of his day's work used to un
bend his mind at these public diversions
with his hammer in his hand. I cannot cer
tainly tell. There are some I know who
have been foolish enough to Imagine it is a
spi "It which haunts the upper gallery, and
from time to time makes those strange
noises; and the rather, because he Is. ob
served to be louder than ordinary every
time the ghost of Hamlet appears. Others
have reported that it Is a dumb man, who
has chosen this way of uttering himself
when he is transported with anything he
sees or hears. Others will have it to be the
playhouse thunderer that exerts himself
after this manner in the upper gallery when
he has nothing to do upon the roof.
"But having made it my business to get
the best information I could in a matter of
this moment, I And that the Trunk-maker,
as he is commonly called, is a large black
man whom nobody knows. He generally
leans forward on a huge oaken plant with
great attention to everything that passes
upon the stage. He is never seen to smile,
but upon hearing anything that pleases him
he takes up his staff with both hands and
lays It upon the next piece of timber that
stands in his way with exceeding vehe
mence, after which he composes himself
In his former posture till such time as
something new sets him again at wtirk.
"It has been observed his blow is so well
timed that the most Judicious critic could
never except against it. As soon as any
shining thought is expressed In the poet, or
any uncommon grace appears in the actor,
he smites the bench or wainscot. If the
audience does not concur with him, he
smites a second time, and if the audience
is not yet awakened, looks round him
with great wrath and repeats the blow a
third time, which never falls to produce
the clap.. He sometimes lets the audience
begin the clap of themselves, and at the
conclusion of their applause ratifies It with
a single thwack.
"He is of so great use to the play house
that it Is saltf a former director of It, upon
Ms not being a<ble to pay attendance by
reason of sickness, kept one in pay to offi
ciate for him till such time as he recov
ered; but the person so employed, though
he laid about him with Incredible violence,
did it In such wrong places that the audi
ence soon found out that It was not th?ir
old friend the Trunk-maker.
"It has been remarked that he has not
yet exerted himself with vigor this season.
He sometimes plies at the opera; and upon
Nicolini's first appearance was said to have
demolished three benches in the fury of
his applause. He has broken half a dozen
oaken plants upon Dogget, and seldom goes
away from a tragedy of Shakespeare with
out leaving the wainscot extremely shat
tered.
"The players do not only connive at his
obstreperous approbation, but cheerfully re
pair at their own cost whatever damage
he makes. They had once a thought of
erecting a Hind of wooden anvil for his
u?e, that should be made of a very sound
ing plank, in order to render his strokes
more deep and mellow, but as this might
not have been distinguished from the music
of a kettle-drum the project was laid aside.
"In the meanwhile I cannot but take no
tice of the great use it Is to an audience
that a person should thus preside over
their heads, like the director of a concert,
in order to awaken their attention and beat
timo to their applauses; or, to raise my
simile, I have sometimes fancied the Trunk
maker in the upper gallery to be like Vir
gil's ruler of the wind, seated upon the
top of a mountain, who, when he struck
his scepter upon the side of it, roused a
hurricane and set the whole cavern in an
uproar.
"It is certain the Trunk-maker has saved
many a good play and brought many a
graceful actor Into reputation who would
not otherwise have been taken notice of.
It is very visible, as the audience is not a
little abashed if they And themselves be
trayed into a clap, when their friend In the
upper gallery does not come into it; so the
actors do not value themselves upon the
clap, but regafd It as a mere brutum ful
men, or empty noise. when It has not the
sound of the oaken plant In It. I know
it has been given out by those who are
enemies to the Trunk-maker that he has
sometimes been bribed to be in the Interest
of a bad poet or a vicious player, but this
is a surmise that has no foundation; his
strokes are always just and his admoni
tions seasonable; he does not deal about
his blows at random, but- always hits the
right nail upon the head. That Inexpressi
ble force wherewith he laye them on suf
ficiently shows the evidence and strength
of his conviction. His seal for a good
author is indeed outrageous, and breaks
down every fence and partition, every
board and plank, that stands within the
expression of his applause.
"As I do not care for terminating: my
thoughts In barren speculations or In re
ports of pure matter of fact, without draw
ing something from them for the advan
tage of my countrymen, I shall take the
liberty to make an humble proposal that
whenever the Trunk-maker shall depart
this life, or whenever he shall have lost
the spring of his arm by sickness, old age,
Infirmity or the like, some able-bodied
critic should be advanced to hl? post, and
have a competent salary settled on him
for life, to be furnished with bamboos for
operas, crab-tree cudgels for comedies and
oaken plants for tragedy, at the public ex
pense. And to the end that this place
should be always disposed of according to
merit, I would have none preferred to It
who has not given convincing proofs both
of a sound Judgihent and a strong arm,
end who could not, upon occasion, either
knock down an ox or write a comment
upon Horace's art of poetry. In short, I
would have him a due composition of
Hercules and Apollo, and so rightly qual
ified for this Important office that the
Trunk-maker may not be missed by our
posterity."
New Lyceum Theater.
The new Lyceum Theater, under the di
rection of the Empire Circuit Company, will
reopen to the public Monday, August 27,
playing exclusively Empire circuit bur
lesque attractions, each company number
ing forty people with a chorus of no less
than twenty girls. The Lyceum has been
remodeled at a cost of $25,000, and when
It opens the patrons of that playhouse will
see a new theater. Oallerles and boxes
have been reconstructed and the entire In
side and outside will present a decidedly
changed appearance.
'"The Thoroughbred Burlesquers" with a
score of pretty girls, comedians and an olio
has been engaged tor the opening week.
Coming Attractions*
Chase's Theater.
The Chase Theater patrons will this week
have an opportunity to see and hear Miss
Pauline Hall, the erstwhile "Queen of
Comic Opera," who abandoned the paths of
polite vaudeville for several seasons, but la
back again and will be heard In the vocal
gems that she once sang In the operas 'In
which she played. She will wear replicas
of the original costumes of the characters
represented. Frank Byron and Louise
Langdon's presentation of "A Dude De
tective" will constitute another feature.
Mr. Byron introduces In this sketch some
of his old-time songs. Sam Elton, said to
be the Jolllest Joker in John Bull's isle, will
present a comic novelty. "Frizzled
Finance," under the manipulation of Car
son and Wlllard, will be found to be a con
glomeration of dancing and parody. The
Arthur and Mildred Boylan company of
Juvenile actors will appear In "Jack and
Jill" with elaborate scenic, electric and
costume effects. Other numbers will be
by the Melonette-La Nole trio, European ec
centric wire comedians; Roltare, with his
twentieth century feats of magical won
ders, and the motion pictures of "The
Prospectors."
Majestic Theater.
Cole and Johnson, whom Melville B. Ray
mond is presenting in their own creation,
"The Shoo-Fly Regiment." are composers
and authors of over a hundred songs that
the public is familiar with. During thejr
tours in vaudeville, both in this country and
abroad, they have entertained many dis
tinguished personages. On their last visit
to London Cole and Johnson were invited
to entertain at the Elizabethan fete given
under the patronage of the Duke of Con
naught, brother of the king. "The Shoo
Fly Regiment" is a unique entertainment,
and one that will afford much amusement.
This firoduct-lon will be seen at the Majea
tic Theater this week, commencing with
the matinee tomorro-w.
Academy of Music.
In making- their latest and most preten
tious production, "Ten Thousand Dollars Re
ward," Spencer and Aborn declared their
aim to outdo all former attractions staged
for melodramatic theatergoers, both as to
scenery and mechanical and electrical ac
couterments, and as to the size and quality
of the personnel, for In this offering there
are twenty-five speaking roles and fourteen
sets of scenery and effects. In "Ten Thou
sand Dollars Reward" there are said to be
four distinct events pictured that have
never been successfully staged before.
These are the maneuvers of a submarine
boat under the sea, culminating in the
blowing up of a big ship on the surface;
the eruption of a volcano and earthquake,
working devastation; a picturesque repro
duction of the famous annual Mardl Gras
In New Orleans, and an exact reproduction
of the fountain at the end of the mall In
Central Park, New York. The story of the
play by Owen uavis la one of romance and
adventure, coupled with human sentiment,
pathos and comedy, carrying Its charac
ters In an exciting chase over half the
globe. A number of the most Important
scenes are laid In British India, and the
show presents a band of Hindoo musicians
and a group of Burmese dancing girls.
"Ten Thousand Dollars Reward will be the
drawing card at the Academy the ensuing
week, opening tomorrow night.
Luna Park.
The return engagement of Don Philipplnl
and his Spanish band and the appearance
of Barlow's herd of trained elephant* are
the special features of I?una Park's free
bill this week. It is suggested that music
lovers who were enthusiastic pver the pe
culiarly gymnastic maneuvers of Creatore
should see Don Philippini, the latest aspi
rant to like honors. The concerts will be
given every afternoon and evening at the
big musical shell, a popular rag-time offer
ing Friday evening and a special sacred
concert Sunday afternoon and evening.
During the engagement the don will render
several of his own compositions. The band
has met with considerable success wherever
It has appeared.
Barlow's elephants are sufficiently well
known to need but little explanation as to
their feats. Several novel acts have been
added and these should increase the popu
larity of these huge performers. Their per
formances are calculated to please adults
and little children alike.
Among the outings scheduled for this
week are the carriage workers, August !fi!;
Alexandria Tent, Knights of the Macca
OQN PHiiJPP<W
AT U?iA P*?K
bees, August 23: the plumbers of Washing
ton, August 24; Washington's business men
on the 25th and the outing to all school
children next Saturday.
"The Way of the Transgressor."
"The Way of the Transgressor." with ft
large and capable company of actors, and
all the paraphernalia of a big production,
and with the , acting Landseer dogs, comes
to the Academy for a week's engagement
commencing Monday, August 27.
111 ?
"Flinders' Furnished Flat."
Chase's bill for next week will include
Wlllard Slmms and company In "Flinders'
Furnished Flat;" dainty Nora Bayes, the
comedienne: the Tooroonin Arab* In their
sensational whirlwind feats, the Ferreres
orchestra, A. O. Duncan, the funmakerj,
Katie Rooney in character impersonations;
William Morrow and Verda Schellberg la
"A Chance Acquaintance." and the motion
pictures of "The Snap Shot Fiend."
"The Policy Players."
"The Policy Players" will be the attrac
tion at the Majestic Theater the week be
ginning August 27. The cast contains sev
eral names of the original company, which
was seen in this city about two years ago.
Luna Park Notes.
Barlow's big elephant, "Hercules," is un?
der a veterlnary's care at Luna Park, Co
ney Island, N. Y., where he took sick last
Wednesday.
Crystal gazing and astrological readings
have been added to the fortune-telling ac
complishments at the Egyptian palmist's
tent at Luna Park.
Over thirty-six knights have enlisted for
the tournament to be held at Luna Park on
August 27.
The automatic ballyhoo stationed at tha
door of the photograph parlors at Luna
Park is attracting considerable attention
along "The Trail.
A balloon ascension and a fireworks dl?
play will mark the celebration of Alexan
dria county day at Luna Park the 2dth. A
portion of the receipts win be banded over
to the public schools of the county for tha
establishment of a library for the pupils.
Playhouse Paragraphs
S. Miller Kent is to star In "Raffles."
Thomas Q. Seabrooke is going Into vaude
ville again.
Jane Kenmark is to star in "The Toast of
the Town."
A new rural drama la called "Jonathan's
Courtship."
Louis Harrison is to be a feature la
"Veronlque."
Clyde Fltoh la writing a new play for
Blanche Walsh.
LAVlnla Shannon is to have a part In "la
the Bishop's Carriage."
Frank Worthing is to be a member of
Grace George's company.
Hilda Spong In "Lady Jim" will open In
New York late this month as a star.
Edgar Selwyn is to play in "Popularity,"
in which Thomas W. Ross is to star.
Mrs. F. B. Partridge, a sister of Julia Ar
thur. is going on the vaudeville stage.
Giles Shine has been engaged for Rosa
Stahl's company in "The Chorus Lady."
Hope Booth is to add to her repertoire a
little Japanese tragedy by Channlng Pol
lock.
Jane Oaker made a hit In Denver In the
principal role In "The Stubbornness of Ger
ftldlne."
A new musical comedy, to be produced
some time during the season, is called
"Vlolette."
Nell Burgess will play his eighteenth year
and his first season In the south, in "A
County Fair."
Edna Wallace Hopper has finally lost her
case in the celebrated suit over the Duns
mulr millions.
Julia Ring, a sister of Blanche Ring, la In
vaudeville with a comedy sketch entitled
"A Quiet, Life."
Margaret Angl!n is to begin her season in
"The Great Divide," a play by William
Vaughan Moody.
Murray Woods is to resume his original
part of the governor of South Carolina in
"The Clansman."
Miss Eleanor Robson will make her first
appearance in October in Zangwill's play
"Nurse Marjorie." ?
Arnold Daly la to begin his season about
the middle of next month In Boston with
Shaw's "Arms and the Man."
Charles Mlllward, who Is a brother of
Jessie Millward. is playing the'outlaw In
"The Girl From the Golden West."
A naw comic opera, produced in London,