San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

September gth, 1899 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW ■ ■ CONCERNING STAGE TERMS The Recognized Theatrical Lxchange of the Pacific Coast -DOES A — The Stage — A raised platform always situated at the end of a seated space, on which certain misguided people often take chances of procuring a weekly stipend for the performance of certain work, such as ' ' holding the mirror up to nature," singing, or attempting to do the same, inciting mirth, (or a riot) depicting life ; according to certain time-worn rules traditional to the stage, etc. It is also a convenient vantage ground from which fair debutantes can "size up" a "gentleman friend" in the audience, or a chorus girl can make a date for a supper. N. B. — This stage is not the kind that carries passengers from point to point, but in former days, now happily past, it carried considerable odium, the rank, old fashioned sort attached to it. It is a favorite stamping ground for divorces, society beauties and some artists. *** —The O. P. Side— The left hand, or "opposite prompt." The same difficulty in comprehending what is meant by the O. P. side is encountered as in the case of the prompt side. — The Wings — The sides of the stage from which actors emerge and leave. They are generally a bluff at trees, palace walls, village huts, etc., and deceive nobody. — Drops — Painted pieces of cloth that extend from the floor of the stage to the flies. They are thought to be artistic triumphs by the scene painter, who is generally deluded in this regard. They represent all things on earth and many things earth never saw. When a painted pyramid or palace wall is rubbed up against by a scene-shifter or actor, the uninitiated in the audience imagine an earthquake has hit the place, but like the drop itself, that is a false alarm. * — The Flies — The thin strips of cloth that do not look like the sky, branches of trees or rafters in a house that are stretched across the stage at a certain height. It is to this region that " Little Evas" and " Marguerites " go, and come down again after the curtain drops. *** — The Prompi Side — The right hand side of the stage as one faces the audience. Among foreign artists, and especially those from "Feenna,"the left hand is considered the prompt side. In many theaters, any old side answers. John P. Wilson. Asiatic Invasion a Failure While our American players are invading the Orient it is interesting to note the fate of our Japanese cousins who have attempted to "beard the lion" in this country. The Japanese company that recently played a short engagement at the California, would have undoubtedly met with greater financial success had their enterprise been under proper management. The company, nineteen in number, was induced to come to this country under very alluring promises, by one of their countrymen named Kushibiki, who saw fame and fortune awaiting him. He did not however have the necessary wherewithal to launch the enterprise and seeing the difficulty suddenly left for the east. The stranded company gathered enough money from their countrymen to take them to Seattle, where they hope to secure proper backing and management for an extended tour. Otto Kawakaimi, the leading man, is also a playwright of .ability and stands at the head of the profession in Japan, while Madam Yacco, his wife, occupies a similar position among the actresses of her country. Little Tsurru, the juvenile member of the company has been left behind in the hands of J. Aoki, an aitist of this city. She will complete her education under his care. If some good, live manager would take hold of this combination it should prove a big money-maker. General Booking and Managing Business Companies organized, routed and booked . Eastern companies booked on the Coast. Play and Legal Department. Theatrical Investments offered and show enterprises promoted. Conducts the Great Western Vaudeville Circuit CHICAGO OMAHA SAN FRANCISCO Office, Rooms 26-27-32-37-38 40 ELLIS STREET J LOU HHLLETT, Manager GEO 11 SIEBE J. CHARLES GREEN mm SIEBE & GREEN BILL FOSTER/ and General Out-door Advertisers Post for the Leading Theaters 11th and Market Sts., S. F. 'Phone South 792 MADAM YACCO 183641 The only ENCHILADOS ELBEU (AFE Market i V™ y Kearny Junction -GearYg3,