Van Dyke Browne Secrets of Scene Painting and Stage Effects

Annotation

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The idea of dramatic representation is to produce the impression of reality, and the value of such representation is indirect measure with the force of such impression. In this connection stage scenery and effects are of the utmost importance. When properly used, they add tremendously to the reahzm of dramatic representation. We see this clearly proved in London to-day at such theatres as Drury Lane and His Majesty's. The success of the big productions at those theatres depends almost, if not quite, as much upon the quality of the scenery and effects as'upon that of the plays performed or of the actors and actresses engaged. This is shown by the Views expressed by the dramatic critics and the public generally. Perhaps the production at Drury Lane is a strong melodrama. What is most dis cussed in connection with that production Almost always some big and novel effect, such as the representation of a race between aeroplanes or a battle between submarines. Again, in the case of a Shakespearean production at His Majesty's, the talk in the green-rooms and at the dinner-tables of London is often more of the scenic beauty of the production than of the achievements of the actors and actresses, and the talk of the 'man in the street follows the same lines.