The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-29
DRAMATIC FEUzhLEToM
TRE eREEN-ROOM AND ITs PEOPLE.
pY OLIVE LoaAN Dn LIsLE.


that mysterious term, the green-room. "The
green-room, my dear madam, is the bower
where fairies put off their wings and god
desses become dowdies; where Lady Macbeth
weeps over her lap-dog's indigestion, and Bel
videra' groans over the amount of her last
millner's bill. In word, the green-room is
the place where actors and actresses become
mere men and women and the name is no
doubt derived from the general character of
its unprofessional visitors"
This was the English green-rOom in the
days of "Peg Wellington" An American
green-room, like everything else American,
has neculiarities of its own; aud "Peg Wof-
Rpeton's" sale d'aadience differs as greatly
from the preen-room of Edwin Booth as the
prim court of Victoria is in contrast with the
prohigate one of the Second Charles. The
a'unprofessional visitor is parsonage almost
unknown in our native green-room, and for
that reason that greatest of all charms-the
charm Ofmystery-is thrown over the hallowed
precinct where the blOodthirsty "Lddy
Macbeth" becomes human enough to weep
over her lap-dog's indigestion, and Belvidera"
pays by personal annoyance, if not in current
coin, for her too reckless indulgence in milli-
ners wares. That the name was derived from
the habit of hanging this room with green, is
obvious. The reason for the selection of the
color is equally obvious, and one which is still
strong enough to cause its being chosen by the
npholsterer for the study of his wealthy
patron, green being the sottest tint with which
the student-eye is acquainted. Here, then,
assemble the players to study, to laugh, to
chat, to put the finishing touch to what was
begun in the dressing-room, to condole with
each other, to be merry, to be sad, to go
through the thousand and one emotions which
constitute life among players as among COM
mon folk. The rallying cry which brings the
actors together is small slip of paper, techni-
eally known as ''call," " distributed every
morning on which rehearsal is to take place,
by an humble tunctionary who may
have cognomen Of individuality, but who is
never spoken of except as the 'call-boy." He
may be a call-man, but he is never so called.
Like the gdrcon of the French restaurant he
retains his boyhood forever. On this paper or
"call, the hour for rehearsal, the piece to be
rehearsed, and the part to be performed by
the actor who receives it, are all clearly
written out. Ten o'clock in the morning is
the usual hour of rendezvous, and ten minutes
grace is given to allow for difference in time
pieces; any one coming later than that is sub
ject to fine. A set of rules remarkable for
their stringency, printed and framed, and
hanging in grim silence in glass case, is an
inevitable ornament of every green-room.
Another ornament, and one which, besides
the immense looking glass for general use,
forms the only other decoration of the walls of
the green-room, is a small, square, green
Viewing the contents of this case, many
heart has beat high with ambitious throb,
many breast felt the bitter chill of disap-
pointment. From it the leading tragedian
learns whether he is to play "Iago" or "Othel-
TO-" Hamlet" or the shadowy, murdered
father of the melancholy Dane. 1t tells the
saucy chambermad that she may put off cap
and ribbons, and, by virtue of her singing
powers, be permitted to don the conventional
white muslin dress of the stage madwoman,
crown her dishevelled hair with wisps ofstraw,
and play "Ophelia.' But how if the leading
tragedian is Coast" for some other part besides
the 'leading" one? What, after the
by the predatory "star,'' is the lead
ing part in Hamlet? The manager per-
haps, leans towards the "ghost;'' the "leading
man. yearns to disport himself as 'Laertes."
Here, however, the 'juvenile mani steps in,
and strife begins. But authority conquers in
the green-room as elsewhere. The cast-case
issues a fat against which there is no appeal.
However, this does not prevent the uttering
of appeals, nor the making of threats of in
slant departure, of leaving the theatre with
the name of the offended party in the bill for
the night Ga gross contravention OF stage
laws), and other terrors. But the manager
generally holds firm.
At Wallack's Theatre, not long ago, the
comedy of The Wonder was up in the cast case,
ana MrS. hOey was CdSJ lOr DOnh6 VIZ
lante, the leading ''female' part. The repre-
sentation of the piece was deferred, and
the benefit season came on. Another
member of the company, Miss Fanny
Morant, said she regretted not being
able to choose The Wonder for her
benefit, as "Donna Violante,' of all comedy
parts, was her favorite In a pleasant spirit
of camaraderie Mrs. IIoey offered to relinquish
her right of playing this part, allowing Miss
Morant to play it for her benefit. Mr.. Wal
lack was consulted, and agreed to the arrange
ment. Some other obstacle occurred, how
ever, preventing the representation of the
piece for Miss MOrant's benefit, and The Won
der was temporarily set aside, only, after a
short lapse of time to be replaced with the
name of Miss Henriques as "Donna Violante." F"
Here was a blow The leading lady could
scarcely believe her eyes. Insolent cast-case
If it were possible to believe that the mani
mate object had of itself planned and executed
this dire affront, the lady would have be-
heved it rather than suspect her long
time friend, her on n.the-stage lover
for ten years back, Manager Lester
Wallack, of thus deposing her. Mrs. HOey
sought redress but found none. " You re
linquished the part" said Mr.. Wallack, will
inimitably complaisant demeanor. eyes, ,
said the lady, "but only in favor of Miss Mo
rant; and for one occasion-her benefit, TIL,
part was mine by right. l am the leading
lady, '"Ihat is indisputable," Mr.. Wallacl
admitted graciously. 'You are the leading
lady; but you resigned the part, and, havin
resigned it, l am at liberty to give it t.
another" In vain Mrs. HOey's remonstrances