Behind The Scenes For The First Time.

attached to oue another ; that they should marry , and , like the bundle of sticks , prove that their union is strength . A great deal of nonsense has latel y been written ancl spoken about the theatre . One would almost think , from the speeches one has read , that theatrical people were , as a rule , ready-made angels with rustling wings . Nowthis is not the case . There is just as much vice amongst them as

, there is amongst any other class of people of any rank . What they truly deserve praise for is the fact that , considering their position ancl the enormous temptations there are to lead an immoral life in this profession , such a very small proportion of them should go wrong . An intimate acquaintance with all branches of the profession has only confirmed this view , and I could illustrate it by numerous instances . Many mothers take their daughters home

from the theatre every night . Many actresses are humdrum mothers of families ; one celebrated one , of youthful appearance , is to my certain knowledge a grandmother , and leads an extremely quiet , domestic life . The truth is that the fatigues of theatrical life are so great , the pay so small , ancl the anxieties so keen , that there is but little energy left in any successful performer for the indulgence of fashionable vices .

But let us now attempt to describe some incidents behind the scenes , warning the reader that such can onl y be presented piecemeal , in the same manner as they were z * eceived . If any stage-struck individual wishes to see Avhat " behind the scenes " is like , let him put up two screens edgeways , and look between them at a Avellfurnished room full of well-dressed people . He will then see the section of a

picture . It will have much the same appearance as if he Avere to cut some p icture , say three feet in width into sections four inches in diameter , from top to bottom , and look at only one piece at a time . If he wishes to see a a larger section , he must advance further into the room between the two screens . But he must remember that on the stage this advance is limited by the fact that the audience will see him as much as the actors if he proceeds right on to the stage .

The green room is generally on the right of the stage , as looked at from the front . If you wish to associate with the lower order of actresses , constituting the ballet , you are very likely to get into hot water with the inhabitants of the green room , ancl yon will have to rub shoulders with , and probably tip , an unlimited number of carpenters at the wings . Various little incidents happen behind the scenes which would pass unnoticed elsewhere . A fairy— -all soul (!)—says to the dresser" Ohgive

, , me a pin , clear , this—whatever it is— -is all coming clown . " Then she bounces off to join in a Bacchanalian revel . At a certain point of the play—as a cock has to CI ' OAV—says the chief actress ( at rehearsal ) , " I'll give any one a shilling who can crow like a cock . " " How well you are dancing to-night , mademoiselle , " says a privileged intruder . " WellI should" says Mademoiselle" if it Avasn't for my corns . "

, , , " Here , take a drop of this , clear , " says a dresser to an ethereal being , who immediately rinses her month with port wine ancl water , and ( oh , heavens !) spits it out . Then she bounds off to deli ght the audience with her pas seid . " Take care , sir , " says a carpenter ; " here ' s a carriage a comin' off here . " Then our intruder finds he is in the way , ancl suddenl y discovers that every inch of room is of value at the Avings .

A notice catches his eye which confirms this view , to the effect that a fearful fine will be inflicted on any lady or gentleman standing at the wings until the moment before they are expected to go on . This makes him think , " Then where are all the performers ? " Being at liberty to stray where he chooses , he wanders into dark corners , ancl there finds groups of ballet girls and supers stowed away like bottles in a cellar , waiting till they are wanted . In the same places are piles of properties ready