The cameo-cut outlines of Mr. Irving’s fine serious features are plainly visible as he turns to look at the wings. “I don’t see any necessity for having these ‘wings’ so forward,” he declares, and the wings at once slide gently back, moved by some invisible agency. In response to Mr. Irving’s request for another alteration in the scenery (he speaks with an utter absence of effort in a voice which can be heard at the other end of the theatre, although it does not appear to be raised above a conversational pitch), a middle-aged gentleman, attired in a frock coat, his brows carefully swathed in a white pocket handkerchief, comes forward, yardstick in hand, and measures the stage with great assiduity. When this has been done, Mr. Irving sits down with “Please go on.” Then he turns to Mr. Terriss: “Shall we go through it first without the dialogue?” “Yes,” answers Mr. Terriss; and the whole action of the scene is gone through. Mr. Irving and Mr. Terriss exchanging their direction of the various groups for the assumption of their own parts with an ease and rapidity born of long practice, Mr. Irving moving about from group to group until he is satisfied with the effect of the whole. Mr. H. T. Loveday, the stage manager, being at present ill, Mr. Terriss is kindly assisting Mr. Irving with rehearsal. After the entrances and exits have been arranged for the twentieth time, Henry’s magnificent voice rings out as Louis enters:
“‘Brother of France, what shall be done with Becket?’”
As this is one of the early rehearsals, the actors are not yet word perfect. Each holds his part in one hand, and refreshes his memory as he goes on. When Henry and Louis have finished their dialogue, and Becket is about to enter, Mr. Irving suddenly pauses. “Make a note that before Becket’s entrance there should be a slow chant—a Gregorian chant—and flourishes. Where are the gentlemen who sing?” “The gentlemen who sing” come on, and practise the chant. “Not quite so loud.” Mr. Irving claps his hands (the stage signal for stopping people) and decides to try the effect behind the scenes. “That will do; very good,” he declares, as the solemn chant steals slowly in, and then, merging the manager in the actor, kneels at Henry’s feet.
the stage from the dress circle.
At this juncture, Mr. Irving becomes the stage-manager again, and turns to the group of Henry’s followers. “You, gentlemen, are to come up here. You are rather startled, and listen attentively; that’s the spirit of it.” King Henry’s followers move up, and jeer at Becket, who curses them. Then come the voices of the crowd without:
“‘Blessed be the Lord Archbishop, who hath withstood two kings to their faces for the honour of God.’”
But Mr. Irving is not satisfied with the crowd. “Slower and more gravely, please. I want the emphasis on ‘the Lord Archbishop.’ So! That will be very good.”
After this, there is an interval, and Mr. Irving and Mr. Terriss disappear. Before they return, the stage carpenters begin to prepare for the murder scene in the last act. A number of what appear to be canvas-covered trunks are brought in and laid down to represent stones in the choir of Canterbury Cathedral.
Meantime, some of the gentlemen who represent the monks in this scene playfully spar at one another, or lunge with walking-sticks at imaginary foes. The carpenters are busy measuring the stage in all directions with tapes in accordance with a plan which one of them holds in his hand. Before Mr. Irving returns, the “supers” group themselves “left” and answer to their names. When he reappears, they look at him expectantly. “I am not going to rehearse this scene to-day,” he says, “but will just arrange it. Those who sing, go over right (left from the audience). You sing the vespers. I want six more with you. Then, twelve of the shortest. You follow them. All the short ones you have, please. Yes, you’re short (to a diminutive ‘super’ who is standing on tiptoe and trying to look seven feet high at least). Don’t be bashful. You’re none the worse for being short. Come along”; and with unfailing memory Mr. Irving calls each man by name, and indicates his place. When a man fails to quite realise what is required of him, Mr. Irving takes him by the shoulders, and gently moves him along to the required position, very much as if the individual in question were a pawn about to be played in a game of chess. As soon as the monks are grouped to his satisfaction, he steps back. “That’s it. Now, you all come down from the choir. There is a loud hammering against the door. I go to open the door, and all of you rush right by me.” Then Mr. Irving opens the door to his murderers, and is borne back by the crowd of terrified monks. Five minutes afterwards, he has returned to life, and is rehearsing a scene from “King Lear,” with Miss Ellen Terry’s understudy, in as natural and unembarrassed a manner as if he had not been working hard for three hours previously.
Especial care is bestowed by Mr. Irving with regard to every detail of the murder scene. On another occasion, the scenery is not ready, but a flight of steep steps, essential to the action, is placed far back in a position to left of the stage. As “Becket” has never been played before, there are no traditions whatever to guide actors or scenic artists, and each movement, phrase, gesture, and intonation, must be “created.” Mr. Irving picks up a huge battle-axe and hatchet, and carefully plans the details of his own murder. Having decided how to die, he thoughtfully surveys the steps up which the frightened monks are supposed to rush. “They won’t do,” says Mr. Irving. “They are too steep; there is no hand-rail; and the monks will fall over and hurt themselves. Take off four steps. It would be too dangerous if anyone fell down. Now, then, Salisbury and Grim, I enter, forced along by you. Catch hold of me, and put your arms round me this way. That’s it. No; I don’t like those steps.”