the act that follows.

"And here for number five position, a big act, and at the same
time another big name, must be presented. Or it might be a big
dancing act--one of those delightful novelties vaudeville likes
so well. In any event this act must be as big a 'hit' as any on
the bill. It is next to intermission and the audience must have
something really worth while to talk over. And so we select one
of the best acts on the bill to crown the first half of the show.

"The first act after intermission, number six on the bill, is a
difficult position to fill, because the act must not let down the
carefully built-up tension of interest and yet it must not be
stronger than the acts that are to follow. Very likely there is
chosen a strong vaudeville specialty, with comedy well to the fore.
Perhaps a famous comedy dumb act is selected, with the intention
of getting the audience back in its seats without too many conspicuous
interruptions of what is going on on the stage. Any sort of act
that makes a splendid start-off is chosen, for there has been a
fine first half and the second half must be built up again--of
course the process is infinitely swifter in the second half of the
show--and the audience brought once more into a delighted-expectant
attitude.

"Therefore the second act after intermission--number seven--must
be stronger than the first. It is usually a full-stage act and
again must be another big name. Very likely it is a big playlet,
if another sketch has not been presented earlier on the bill. It
may be a comedy playlet or even a serious dramatic playlet, if the
star is a fine actor or actress and the name is well known. Or