ring up

[imchongjun]

Hello, teachers.
I am reading a play written in 1914, and I am puzzled by a stage direction "ring up". What does this mean? It is used like this:

GRAY. What s your name?
SUMMERS. John Summers.
(Ring up.)
GRAY. Mr. Summers, what is your occupation?
SUMMERS. Electrical engineer.

I am wondering if it means "the spotlight is switched on to a certain person"...

[David L.]

My immediate thought is, these are the opening lines of the play (or of Act Two or Three). 'ring up' is a stage direction to 'ring up the curtain', raise the curtain. The first two lines are spoken, then the curtain goes up, and the conversation continues. The playwright is giving the effect that we have walked in on, and are now witnessing, some ongoing drama. (Saves all the tedious dialogue of someone entering a room, the introductions beings done, stating why he is there - it means they can get straight into the drama.)

[imchongjun]

Thank you, David L. I checked all the "ring ups" in the text, and all of them occur soon after the beginning of a new scene. Thanks again.