The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-01-25
Behind the Scenes at the Opera.

The glamour of the stage does
not extend behind the scenes, as
is conclusively shown by humorous
account we quote from London Socle-
ty:
I was discussing with an eminent
dramatist, the other day, the peculiar
fascination which the back OF the
theatre has for so many people. MY
| friend marveled that men of taste and
means-men enabled to command any
luxury of life-could find charm in
regions dominated by carpenters,
stage managers and messengers. But
he overlooked the fact that he knew
every rope, and that for him the the
ater had many annoyalces. Inc cas-
ual visitor only sees with wonder the
tricks of the trade and ,moreovre, often
feels that there is a sort of undlsguls-
ed wickedness about the business which
is a relief to one who lives behind the
thick tinsel of society and cant. Not
that there is anything devilish behind
the scenes. On the contrary. for
d stranger, behind the SCIENCES
is emnently prosaic and bust
ness like; and SO Mr.. Honeyball
the friend of Shirley Brooks, found 1t
i went to the stage-door and sent In
your note Presently a man came and
told me to scome this way follow
ed him through a dark place, with
,, many turns, / kept knocking my hal
against something soft mot my heae
-ha, ha put that into your next play
!, my boy. and then | came upon thu
LADY of the establishment. She had
: sword and shield, 50 we could not ex
: actly shake hands but she spoke In
ringing, merry voice, and asked how
YOU were. Before 7 could answer, sh
rushed on the stage and defied fellow
all over hair TO fight her.
Il wanted to see the tight. SO Wen
, forward, when a man in his snlri
: sleeves told me was III sight OF TIL
o audience.
= ...Oh, said, and went somewher
. else.
.sThen another man told musn'
!. stand there.
: oh said. and changed my place
), where ! felt something hot going dow
= my neck and. looking back, demo
. was shaking fiery torch, full Or rosir
!. at the lady.
q Il ran back. when Il scene was SUI
). denly showed up and was IKE
q against white wall. / bawled, an
:. the prompteT looked around and sWol
- at me for making a noise. It's 81
: thing. but prompters will swear.
: Il wrlrgled out. Everybody locke
r. at me and then took no further notic'
# So asked a young lady with pink LEI
~ If she was fond Of acting. She sal
- she fever acted. and went away.
- man came in with brown George
s. and gray stockings. | recognized hin
20 and told him he had often made u
~ laugh. He looked very grim, said
a. .sdid him proud and went ava
- Then a sort of lady's maid came with
+. basin and towels, and rouge-pot al
be- q woman's dress in her hand ana
1v the men were turned out Of the roo
RI something about quick change
ha didn't understand. So, not known
I'm what to do next, went up some ste
he and looked out at the window or g;
rd tie. In a minute | heard roar
at laughter. and found | was In front
az the audience but before ! could
"a. treat an old man In kings dr.
.ra pushed me away. told me was nj
ed put his head out at the hole and >;
he wasn't at home | came down, |
he could not get away, for about tW'
ty dirty soldiers, with haiberts,
formed me must wait till they ~
a. on So / stood sewing there for n
nta an hour. while they grinned at !
- | prccanffN they all lpyelpd their we
YES ons. shouted very loud, and ran III
aw- the stage. every one tryingto push
ark over.
wo- II had enough of it, 80 | got on
nd. thanks 70 little girl who plloted
een and you don't catch me there a.
irst can tell you. It's all very dull.
me cept what s very dlsagreeable.
und ~e -
Fried Cake5.-0ne cup or SUI
@ u - 4 n-~$ n