Incidentally he played
opposite to Joy, who refused flatly to take the leading part of
_Phyllis_, and was therefore cast for _Iolanthe_. They found
a suitable and sufficiently stalwart _Fairy Queen_ in the
neighborhood, and made Gail's weekend man _Private Willis_, because
two rehearsals a week were enough for that part, and he was the tallest
man, nearly, that any one had ever seen. He was six feet three and
a half, which is about two and a half inches more than is necessary
for beauty and suitability, to quote Clarence again; but quite what
they wanted just here.
"But where on earth to get a chorus!" wailed Clarence, after a
rehearsal in the big Hewitt parlor. They were keeping it more or
less a family affair. The Harringtons had returned, bringing the De
Guenthers with them in triumph. Mrs. De Guenther was a dear little
old lady who took a deep interest in the whole scheme, and was of
great use in the costuming. Mr. De Guenther, scholarly, soft-voiced,
and courteously precise, was also allowed to be present at
rehearsals; not because of the costuming, but because he remembered
performances at the Savoy when he was a young man in London, and
could coach them in the business.
"With a whole village full of people, I should think you could!"
said Gail. "The trouble with you is, Clarry, you're lazy." She
leaned back herself in a long chair as she said it, looking the
personification of indolence.
Pages:
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218