The Ladies of the Camellias images
So Allen says our stock footstool won't do for the pouf in the show. Not pouffy enough, I gather. I bring in my book on making "2x4" furniture, and Andy makes the frame for the new piece (the quotes are there because the pouf contains no 2x4 lumber). Dina and I spend part of an afternoon learning to upholster stage furniture, with the result you see at left. Yes, it is supposed to be toadstool-shaped.
In the play, Bernhardt has been generous in offering Duse the house for her Paris production of La dame aux camélias, but she can't quite resist installing some features that may . . . trouble . . . her guest diva. Stuff that Buster Keaton, a generation later, would borrow for his movies. Next week should see all those gags in place, and maybe I'll have a photo then.
In the previous page of images you saw the unfinished fireplace. At right is the painted wooden mantelpiece that will finish it. And yes, I am learning to swear in French. Christina helped with the painting, which we did with the unit lying on its back in the middle of the stage where the maximum number of people would trip over it. Allen likes the mantelpiece, though; we had a bit of a wrangle over whether to put it in stock when the show closes or truck it to the landfill.
Who knew la pièce de résistance would appear so suddenly? Kelly took the prepared canvas and in one short afternoon created this pastel portrait of the Divine Sarah, patron saint of her own theater. I hinted on the previous page that at least one piece of the set would be mostly invisible, and this is the one; audience members will see the picture rise up the wall and vanish behind the overhead draperies. But the cast will know she's there. Beautiful work. You may have missed the photos of the two leading ladies in their prime.
If I haven't mentioned it, The Ladies of the Camellias opens on February 18, 2005, for the customary two-weekend run. Besides a splendid set, it features an outstanding cast. Good date show. Call (706) 208-8696 to reserve.
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