Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-17
MlisftlIarleons.
Behind the Scenes.
How ACTORS BEHAVE IN THEIR DRESS
ING Rooms.


Actors dressing rooms are not very
superb apartments. Pushed in anywhere
in the fabric of the theatre as architects
afterthoughts, now damned between the
stage and wall. now buried beneath the
pit or hoisted between the sunlight and
the roof, there is little room in them for
comfort, and less for elegance. They are
for the most part. very dungeon like
rooms: and the ventilation OF the ordinary
prison cell-yes, we have tried its "a
moral by comparison. A dresser con-
tanning drawers runs around two sides of
the cell. The top thereof is scored,
cbalked. smeared and otherwise Invested
of self-respect; while the drawers are, as
frequently as not. handleless. Carpeting
is not frequent luxury. There may be
rough deal table. or there may not Reck-
less managers. in the first flush OF hand
ling other peoples money, have been
known to provide for them. The success
siye tenants have adorned the walls with
creations of wit and fancy sketches of
friends in the profession, or of the man
ager GENERALLY uncomplementary), with
occasional legend affecting private charac-
ter. attributing, in plain Saxon, imbecility
to its unhappy subject. There is, or has
been. mirror provided. but, if it is not in
the dust hole already, it deserves to be,
for its cracked condition adds more '.lines'
to the face than is necessary for the broad
est burlesque. Such chairs as there are
frequently appear 10 have been purchased
in the slums of Drury. with such change
as soda and brandy leaves out of a shil-
ling. And it somehow always happens
that the most popular theatres are worse
off in the little particulars above men
toned, and in their general aceemmoda-
tons for their players. 1t is not unusual
TO find prosperous actor, who possesses
a mansion in the suburbs. breathing or
gasping, and dressing, in handbook of a
place which he would not condemn his
scullery maid to inhabit. But still he is
lucky man. for at least. he has his room
all to himself; since il is only when you
have played Shakespeare with critical
emendation of your own, or have set a
fashion in chuckles, that you can hope to
attain that.
But the frame may be overlooked tor
the sake of the picture. Actors are the
best OF all good company. and for flashes
of wit and play of humor, for character,
and above all, for geniality, commend us
to the dressing-room when in fnll swing.
Though the occupants are crowded to-
gether like sardines in tin, or promises
in an election speech, or lies in gas me-
ter-to borrow "A mot from Mr.. Brought
still, room is cheerfuly made for you. A
pipe smokes doubly sweet there, because
it is strictly prohibited, and modest re-
freshers are the more refreshing from
t.,, fer in al nf odd yasgplZ
Talk is fast while sticks of color skim
over shaven faces, and brushes full of bOle
armenia pursue their devious tracks under
eyes, and over cheeks and foreheads.
Your beardless young friend of 20 shakes
hands with you, and turns back from his
glass few minutes afterwards transformed
into pere noble of 60, whom you uncon
sciously address with shade more def
erence than before. The hero of comic
opera adjusts that silky moustache and
those flowing flaxen locks which will
carry his upper notes home to the hearts
of all the young ladies in the audience.
and dossibly entail upon him some cor
respondence. Comic "get ups" which
will make the house roar presently are
elaborated with the business air OF n
Judge in banc. or a water-pipe collector
Calls for the dresser to help on with re-
calcitrant garments interrupt comments
on the latest news about town. leading on
to discussion of what fresh gag should
be introduced that evening; while cross
fire of complimentary remarks on the
manager rises and falls. That official s
double-tacedness, favoriteism. underhand-
edness, and general villany receive their
full need OF attention from our friends in
the dressing room. A long-drawn "Ah"'
is the general chorus. as some fresh dia-
bolical act of his is disclosed. But il is
all right. Previous experience whispers
confidentially to you that there will be no
murder committed. Then there is more
gossip. The rounds" the "calls." the
curtains" the blunders. and lifts of the
previous evening elbow one another off
the tapis in droll fashion.
al In,