New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-29
TIE EITRA LADY.

A MODEL OF UNMovED rNsENsrBrLrTY. v
In most dramatic theatres' said the old actor wiz
recently told something about the regulation
super" he ballet rrs termed extra ladies' sup
pose tbs grand sppeaton 70 IN Difference the average
poor American s'rls desire tnss; shat she shvula
always be srok.n Of lady Ard ballet Tfrt
Is popularity supposed dance and extra Lady is not
IL is, perhaps. well distinction OF terna-
When say tie latter does dance, that she
does not DO fancy dancing ballet steps when sas
appears In spectacular pieces Then her duties are
oonred to the amazoDiaa marches which, however new
and original the advertisements RAY call them have In
yarsDy for Their chief feature the revolving IL
matters whether there thirteen hundred
ladies In the march. you will ind 10 wind with
the the number CT points and the length Of each
point being movable quantities
On tho dramatic stage the extra lazy is sometimes
required part in quadrile. mnues or waltz
II you watch her closely you win probably see some fun
for though she Is generally cuack enough 60 learn The
steps and the figures her execution Of them will b
likely bctray familiarity with tho balls Of the gentle
mems OF tho -th w1d' As rule, lie extra lady
is the wife, sister Of the stage hands,
fact that many 'nrtatous young actor has learned
his ultimate discomfort She has been gcingon' for
years and probably In tho dress in every modern
play, the OF social gnyety IN which she
pears she IL expected TO ind her ball or dinnss
costume. In such theatres Days the Lyceuu.
WaIacks and the Maids Square Is taken BY the
manager that the extra lady should be well dressed bus
the combination houses abe be In all The
It generally white originally white sroundworh
Of silk satin, which IS decorated with round oval
patches OF red in What has been napy called the
Jsn,tare' style Sometimes tho colors Of the pstchcs
may undergo o change. but the style rarely. II shs
invests In a dress t IS likely 70 be Of brilliant
and crude hue which would sell in the fashionable
quarters and has descended bargains to Grand
Division sts Indeed. person without taste whs 10
anxious know what should be avoided might safely
watchn. the coiors Of the extra ladys
costumes
In generally unmoved insensibity her surrsund-
ings stage the lady Is fully the equal sf
the regulation super II she Is old hlnd she
round the house. and after observing costumes Of
the 'swels In the boxes and stalls . her eyes up
ward search of acquantances he gaiierJ-esds-
t. the other hand she "a inexpe .1ced she betrays
Q tendency side along the scenes and would. II
possible, doubtless vanish through them sho STANDS
leg and then tho other, and doesn't fnd
either position comfortable. AL the tine. too. abe
painfully Of fact that shs IS Aficed win
hands and arms Gradually she win work them oehinA
back till she presents anuiess appearance havs
seen Of ladies' look Ike rows Of Venuses
OF Milo-not beauty DO It UNDERSTOOD but In seeming
deficiency OF upper limbs Whistler she be novice
staser lady IS Indifferent IN the woes OF
lovers the quarrels Of husband and wife, and the insults
and blows OF rivals II she has o cue &C which 70
scream or to laugh, be relied on for some hna
q sound, its quality is anything but natural me
very mochery mirh Ia always the laugh OF the extra
people. till cue the extra lady IL only
blankfaced spectator Of impassioned scenes
her supreme effort Is TO make half turn and seem
to say few words TO her nearest companion
aThe remuneration OF The extra lady is usually % 9
week. but in theatres 81 extra is paid for each
matinee has been before stated she, II required.
dresses for modern plays but all costume
plays dressed by the management Peculiar Is the
extra lady may look In her clothes she is sone-
thing marvellous o mediaeval Louis XVI Dress
In white wig is nvaaby dressed and rus
on in such way resemble gigantic cauinower.r
Her clothes do not ht her. she is emhsrrassca
by end either steps her skirt IN front or 10
conscious It does not reach her ankles She has
rarely any ambition TO become an actress though she
Graves a limo TO speak. because then her salary
will be increased by half She has very little respect
actresses and IA 10 make fun OF any
preensons style the part Of the latter That ex'
cellent comedy actress, Mrs Wilkins the origf
nal Frochard IN the Two Orphans was the widow
OF Mr.. SERGEANT Wilkins o. C., ane OF the most eminent
men az the London bar Her conversation was always
plcntifuy sprncd with illusions 70 the SERGEANT and his
eminence which had shared one day extra lady
who had got tired Of hearing much about him. said
Il DON'T why you're always Boosting about the
sergeant--my pa a sergeant TOO and In the BROADWAY
Som