HOUSE AND GARDEN 
May, 
1914 
401 
special performances, however, if no play 
seems suitable; but we need only remind 
ourselves of the paucity of everything 
save imagination in the theatre of 
Shakespeare’s time to see at once how 
much richer in beauty almost any one of 
his plays would be, given in such a ver¬ 
dant spot, than it ever was in the meager 
surroundings of the old Globe Theatre, 
Bankside, where forest and palace alike 
were imagined by both players and audi¬ 
ence, under the dingiest conditions. 
It is a matter of no very great im¬ 
portance whether or no there is a cur¬ 
tain ; but it does, perhaps, add to the 
illusion and interest to use one to con¬ 
ceal the stage before the beginning of 
the performance and during the inter¬ 
vals in it. If this can be suspended 
from an altogether hidden framework it 
is an advantage, but where overhanging 
branches do not exist in a position to 
make this possible, a very charming effect 
may be achieved with a vine-festooned 
lattice-covered support which becomes 
the upper member of a frame for the 
stage picture when the curtain is opened. 
The sketch illustrates this, and also 
shows the method of hanging such a 
curtain; also the opportunity afforded 
for a string of lights, as heretofore men¬ 
tioned. Some heavy material in a deep, 
shadowy woods green shade or the color 
of the general tone of tree trunks would 
be the best selection; for, of course such 
a curtain must be in perfect harmony 
with the outdoors. The lattice may be 
of natural, unpeeled saplings, or may be 
the usual lattice material stained to a 
natural, “woodsy” gray. 
To avoid the sag of the piping inevit¬ 
able in so long a span, it should be car¬ 
ried over at the ends and braced and 
tied as shown. The lattice must, of 
course, be supported by attaching to 
this, hence a stiff pipe is necessary; and 
supports of corresponding strength set at 
least three feet into the ground. And the 
whole should be put up by efficient-work¬ 
men who understand what they are 
about. 
A permanent garden table with seats 
on either side of it furnishing the space 
where the audience is to sit, located as 
shown in the plan, will, of course, be 
supplemented by as many chairs as are 
required when entertainments are given. 
These may be arranged some times in 
groups about small tables; other times in 
the conventional rows; but always they 
should be spaced out enough to allow 
comfortable and free passage about, with 
center aisle and outside ones also, if the 
body of the theatre is not extremely lim¬ 
ited. Omit the center aisle where it is, 
and allow just the outer passageway. 
An elevated stage should be not more 
than three and a half feet, nor less than 
three feet, above the level of the “pit” at 
its forward edge. From this point it 
should rise towards the back at not less 
than eight per cent, grade if the floor of 
the pit is level. This will assure unob- 
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