, 1879-01-19
THE STAGE.
THE DRAMA.
CHICAGO,
THEATRICAL DRESS1NG-Ro0M3

We hear great deal about sayings and
dongs iu the grecn-room, but does 1t ever
occur to the American reader that there is
really no such thing rs grecn-room IN our
theatres? 1t is mere figure OF speech On this
side of the Atlantic, although in London and
Paris that venerable institution we believe still
dourishes, and is as Of old the resort OF the
privileged fellows about town who like to pen
e1rate these mysterious regions behind the
scenes. The recent unpleasantness between
two operatic warblcrs over the question
Of their dressing-rooms serves to revive
natural interest III green-roOn1s
and dressing g-rooms, and probably nine ont of
every ten persons in an audience would be ready
to forcgo their pleasure in performance 1or
the privilege Of roaming for half hour among
tho wings. What are dressins-rcoms like, and
how do the actors live, move, and have their be-
ing before and after they strut and fret their
hour before these footlightss Does. Othe1o. just
after shaking the life out OF Idgo, step into
some cozF apartment right al hand anu smoke
q friendly pipe with him while making up his
mind to smother Desdc,nona? In old times,
here as elsewhere, there Was room set
apart in which the members Of the
company could meet together during
~ N~A--~
custom has died out. and the sociabiiity hereto
fore feature OF the other side Of the curtain Is
considerably restricted. Tie only thing ap-
preaching to grren-room that we can remem-
Der in Chicago existed in the old Museum, and
that was simply dimly-lighted, dingy-looklng
corridor in front Of. the drcssing-rooms, with
plain wooden bench on which the actors could
sit and wait for their cue Into this few priv
ileged visitors we're occasionally admitted, and
many an interesting reminiscence might be re-
called of that once-familiar haunt.
Nowadays, however, the private dressing
room OF the actor constitutes all that is left of
what Was known as the grecn-room, and in
yjew Of this fact it would seem reasonable that
managers should bestow no little care in max
ing them as commodious and comfortable US
possible. As rule this is not the ease. 1t is
melancholy fact that stage dresstug-rooms offer
the poor player but sorry hospitality. The
prosceuium maY slime like the cohorts of the
Assyrian in purple and gold, but We rarely find
the dressing rooms sufficiently comfortable to
reconcile even a super to his surroundings. In
word, they are for the most part ill-rentilated
dcns-
Chicago has made great advance in recent
days in this respect BIZ constructing the theatric-
al dressing-room5 in manner fit for human
occupation, although even here there is still
considerable room for improvement, as walk
through these cubby-holes Of genius will sut1l-
ciently demonstrate. OF the six theatres of
which our city boasts two belong to the renais-
sance period, built Immediately after the fire;
the other four have found their way to fame
and fortune in subsequent ventures. McVica1-
er's and Hoolcy's belong to the first class; Har-
crlcy's, the Academy of Music, Hamltn's, and
the New Chicago hare arisen from ashes OF
necessity
M'UCKrR's THEATRE
before the fire had perhaps the poorest accom-
nodatioos for the actors Of any house in the
CITY. lu its present construction it must be
owned that the comfort Of the players seems to
hare been one Of the chief considerations OF
semblcs Boythorn in Bleak House, in a large
measure. lie processes the most malignant
disregard for the feelings Of others just when
be is most vigorously industrious in behalf Of
somebody else. HIs dressing-rooms show this
plainly enough. Possibly the remembrance OF
to DO with the matter, but when alr. Sharp
nodcst1y invited the present writer
into the stars dressing-room the latter
could hardly fail to be struck with the
general air OF ,l1 luxury which pervaded
BARROW, its outline conforming to the horseshoe
curve, but it is roomy, we'll ventilated, and
sumptuous. 4 handsome Brussels carpet coy
crs the floor, upholstered furniture breaks the
n,onotouy Of the view, and an elegant full-1ength
mirror Of plate-glass III gilt frame could re-
veal, if it dared, manv i last louk Of some pal
pitating divinity, before she took her cue and
'.went on." Above this enyiable apartm emf,
Which is situated at the left of the stage, three
other rooms arc piled. all Of them marked BY
the came kindly consideration for the actress
wants, especially ia the matter Of inviting chairs
ana flawless looking-glasses Stationary wash
bowls IN every room, double gas-lcts; and plenty
Of room, are the prevailing characteristics.
Fresh air and fountain OF hot air are essentials
which have been supplied with equal liberali1y.
The .gentlemen's roolns" are arranged in q
tier OF three on the right Of the stage; are
equally well furnished, equally well lighted,
ventilated, and equipped. and differ from their
..s-a-rs only in the possession Of less elaborate
In close jnxtapositioa-to bor-
row phrase from. Mr. Robson-to rhe founda-
tions OF the dressin@-rooms may be observed q
furnace whose generous influence preserves
pleasant Temperature among tie artists. The
facts that the basement floor is paved with con-
crete, that seven furnaces radatc their good
cheer, and that the windows all round open
upon allcyways, may account for this unusual,
almost revolutionary, hygieuic condition Of
.hlngs.
HooLEY's THEATRE
las been less fortunate III the construction of
Is Deu1uQ-LQc-Sceue6 accommodations. 1tlG
difficulty OF access to the dressing-rooms from
slleyways and through tortuous passages is all
3ut insurmountnblc to one not familiar with
he clew to the labyrinth; aud after
he visitor has struggled into the din reccsses
le finds anything but that air of comfort which
should pervade suph q place. The rooms are
mall and poorly ventilated, although it must
}e confessed that the good theatre manager
loes all that lies in his power to Keep them
:;can and in good order. 1t was the fault Of the
architect, not OF the manager, and by and by he
viii doubtless find his way toward thorough
reconstruction Of this part Of his establish
nent. At present, it bears rather unfavorable
With some OF its newer contempora-
les.
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
Still another contrast is reached when one
:rosscs the river and examines the quarters
furnished for the reception OF players at the new
Academy of Music. Meet Mr. Nick Norton first
1t the box-ofIce and announce the fact that
curiosity has i1npellcd 4 VISIT and he will reveal
nar:els OF scenic skill, upon which Matt Morgan
worked With fidelity ard zeal; he will shift scene
liter scene to display the cunning of that master
land, mud roll 10 aud lower curtain and act
1fop, ana will light up the stage and auditorium
o exhibit the pictorial aud upholstered treas
lrts Of one OF the most perfectly -appoiuted play
louscs in the world. Then he viii take his |
'!si;or behind and show him an arrangement of
1ressing-roo1ns such as the variety .performers
Who play there have never seen or dreamed of. |
The general arrangement OF Dressing rooms re- I
;e.nbies that OF McV Vcscr's Theatre. The floors |