Behind The Scenes For The First Time.

to hand . Guns , spears , daggers , et hoc genus omne , read y to be snatched at a moment ' s notice . Presently an alarm is raised . A tall , handsome , ballet girl , in a fainting fit , is carried off the stage by her companions . There is a peculiar form of disorder common amongst these ladies , which might almost be called " ballet girl fever . " It is caused by excessive fatigue at morning rehearsalscoupled

, with the same element at the evening performance . In rare cases , fortunately , this is accompanied by symptons indicating an excessive indulgence in stimulants , and the treatment then becomes rather complicated . For in most cases brandy is the best remedy , which , of course , in these exceptional cases , is " contra indicated . " The wonder is that they do not all faint every night .

Rehearsals sometimes are called at 11 a . m . and go on till late in the afternoon . Frequently there is neither time nor funds for lunch . In addition , there is the evening ' s performance , ancl , perhaps , added to that , a long , wet walk to and from the theatre twice a-day . Oh ! stage-struck young gentlemen and ladies , think twice before you join the theatrical profession . Nothing but a sincere love of the work can carry

you through it , with all its hardships ancl fatigues . All is not gold that glitters , as any actor or actress can tell you . Ton imagine , perhaps , that the life of theatrical people is one of constant pleasure ancl excitement . In this you are much mistaken . . Their clay is spent somewhat as follows . They rise late—for nature must be satisfied as-regards sleep—a substantial breakfast is taken , during which interviews with the

dressmaker , with messengers from the theatre , and others are conducted . Frequentl y there are morning rehearsals , for which nobody is paid , ancl for non-attendance upon which everybody is fined , unless a good reason can be assigned for absence . These rehearsals may be for one actor onl y for the first half-hour ; for two or three together during the next hour ; and for the ballet ancl extra ladies and gentlemen later on . The band may or may not be in attendance , but they , of all the performers , seem to have the hardest time of it .

Of course , there are a great many repetitions , sometimes of ajtparentl y trivial points , but upon which much of the success of the piece depends . There are also prolonged waits , with possibly nothing to sit upon till the waiters are wanted . All this is very trying to the temper , and also very fatiguing . Nothing but combination ancl the free indulgence in jokes of all kinds could possibly hold a company together . For instance , Mcllle . does not turn up to execute her pas seul between the gyrations of the ballet

. The manager , himself a good male dancer , does her steps to the music in burlesque , of course much to the amusement of the assembled company , who were beginning to find the morning rather long . A tenor singer is called upon for his solo , ancl it is found that his mouth is full of sandwiches . A young lady , who has to box her lover ' s ear , does it accidentall y in realit y , which he receives with bonhomie .

Such trivialities , uninteresting on paper but very amusing in real life , pass away the morning , ancl perhaps the afternoon . Those who are lucky devour the sandwiches they have brought with them , or stealthily pass out to some place of refreshment near the theatre . Those who are not so fortunate remain till late in the afternoon , fatiqued , hungry , and exhausted , until teatime arrives , when they wend their way home , only to return to the theatre

again in the evening . During the performance all is gay ancl lively , both iu front and behind the scenes , and the evening is concluded generally by a substantial supper at home , or , in exceptional cases , with friends abroad . As far as I can ascertain , the actors' meals take place at the following hours : Breakfast at eleven , dinner at three , a good tea at five , ancl supper about eleven or twelve , Some require much more than others . A celebrated pantomimist once told me that she always had a chop and a pint of champagne between the acts of the pantomime at one of the largest London theatres .