The fundamental principles of this preliminary blocking-out having been laid down, we shall now proceed to a consideration of the infinitely varied problems of grouping and detailed stage business.
[Illustration: SET FOR MUSSET'S "WHIMS", PRODUCED BY THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PLAYERS.
(Courtesy of The Washington Square Players).]
While it is true that the possibilities of variation in the matter of grouping, crossing, and so on, are infinite, still there are some definite principles to be followed.
Suppose that the blocking-out process is over with, and the actors have a fair idea of their entrances, positions, business, and exits. The two following extracts (the first from the third act of Jones's "The Liars", the second from Edouard Pailleron's "The Art of Being Bored") serve to illustrate two ways of going about the problem of grouping actors on the stage. The first contains specific directions, the second only the merest suggestions. Below is the diagram of the stage in the third act of "The Liars":
Up to page 107, which is reproduced on page 50, the characters are grouped as indicated:
Following carefully the stage directions in the text and on the margin, the action is traced as follows:
Mrs. Crespin shakes hands with Sir Christopher. Then (marginal note) "_Sir C. opens door L. for Mrs. Crespin_":
(_Exit_ MRS. CRESPIN.[5] _They all stand looking at each other, nonplussed._ SIR CHRISTOPHER _slightly touching his head with perplexed gesture_.)
[5] _Sir C. opens door L. for Mrs. Crespin; after her exit, closes door. They all turn and look at Sir C. He sinks into a chair up C., and shakes his head at them._
I like that! If I hadn't asked her, what would have happened? George Nepean would have come in, you'd have plumped down on him with your lie, and what then? Don't you think it's jolly lucky I said what I did?[6]
[6] _Lady Jess. sits L.C. Sir Chris. puts hat on bookcase C., and comes down C._
It's lucky in this instance. But if I am to embark any further in these imaginative enterprises, I must ask you, Freddie, to keep a silent tongue.
Well, old fellow, it may be an unpalatable truth to you, but you'll never make a good liar.[7]
[7] _Lady R. and Lady Jess. agree with Sir C._