A "PAPERED" DRESS CIRCLE.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 163, 3 November 1883, Page 10

A "PAPERED" DRESS CIRCLE.

Thh time to properly view the interior of the dress-circle df a colonial theatre is -when it is full — of deadheads. ' A glance at the relative numbers in the different parts of the house is quite sufficient to inform a person whether the " free list has been entirely suspended," or whether orders have been as plentiful in the town as bank notes usually are scarce. A crowded circle, a full stalls, and a poor pit, are signs and tokens that most of the occupants of the two selecter portions of the house did not stop at the money-box as they came in. -m Take a glance round the circle and review the noble army of deadheads. Their name is legion, certainly, and yet there are hundreds, aye, thousands, of would-be recruits anxious to enlist — and cadge orders. The peculiarity about the deadheads is that they fail in the one respect, for which, it is to be presumed, they received their free admissions. They go on " orders "to fill the higher-priced portion of the theatre, and to act as claqueurs — to literally lend a helping hand to encourage the performers, and make the piece " go." But you don't catch them applauding — if they know it. By one of those strange hallucinations, under which mankind sometimes labour, the persons "ordered to the front" seatsbelieve that to express approval, or appear moved in any way by a theatrical performance, i 9 a sign that they are not used to going to the theatre, whereas, many old playgoers are the most easily moved by anything uncommon in the performance. The deadhead is matter of fact, and nob -demonstrative. A story is told of a deadhead who sat stolidly gazing at a wonderful exhibition of pathetic acting. Everybody was in tears except the imperturbable deadhead. Somebody asked him afterwards., how it came about that he remained unmoved;' " Well, it was very affecting, you know," answered Mortete," but it is not true. Besides, even if it had been true, it was no business of mine." Such is the feeling that fills the noble army of deadheads as they sit stolidly watching the performance that they do not pay for, and grudging even the cheap thanks of a round of applause. Bound at the side near the stage, you will see the champion deadheads of Australia A constant experience of many years fully entitles Mr and Mrs Mac Stingy to claim tho belt. In getting orders and using them Mr and Mac may well declare, in the advertisement, " that they are approached by few and equalled by none.'* They always get up gorgeously for their weekly visit to the dress-circle, Mrs Mac. " walking in silk attire," and absolutely rustling with importance, as, with a supreme indifference to the common folks in the house, she follows that pronounced beak, which, like tho prow of a ship, leads tho way that she would Bail. After her come* Mac Stingy himself, " doing the thing proper, my boy, and just as if I'd been born in a dress-circle, and served my time in a box-office." Mao is in his glory when. " travelling on paper." He beams around him with pleasant smiles on persons he knows, but who would prefer not to know him. He is extensive as to shirt front, hair oil, and get-up generally. His watch-chain is a marvel of cheap display, and justifies the remark of a rude pressman behind that "Mac has as much brass on his waistcoat as in his face, and that's saying a good deal." Next to the Macs, sits the fussy little man with the large wife and colossal family. He is something or other connected with a newspaper office, and gets an occasional order when he, of course, " gives the missus and kids a treat." This piece of paper i 3 perhaps the best-disposed in the whole house, for though Pa spends most of the time itt the bar ontside, and Ma is dignified and stiff, the- " kids " are 'exceptions to the general rule of deadhead-hood, enjoying themselves thoroughly and applauding vociferously. The Macs., whenever applaud, and who really consider themselves the most important part of the show, have no patience with people who bring their children to a theatre to laugh and etand on people's corns, and go on just as if a theatre dress-circle was a place to come for amusement. There's the civil servant in another box, who also comes in on the deadhead racket. Once in a while he pays, but then he does a quiet shilling's worth in the pit. More often, however, he goes into the dress-circle "on the never." He is chummy with one of the theatrical reporters, and, his friend " makes it all right " by means of a. judicious liquor to the box-keeper or agent. In the pit the civil servant enjoys the play and applauds, in the dress-circle he is silent, and does not enjoj,.himself. He is one of those who valuea thing according to the price they have to pay for it. The suburban shopkeeper and his wife occupy a couple of seats in the dress-circle occasionally. They come on what is known as a bill order, a free admission that comes through the bill-poster a3 a return for the display of the thoatre-bills in the shop. Bones and his wife may believe that they enjoy the dress-circle — but they don't. Disguise the fact as they may, they would be far happier in the pit with a sandwich and gingerbeer to amuse themselves with between the acts. The other places, so far as "paper" is concerned, are filled by the friend of the " star," the hotelkeoper where the manager atays, the moneylender, who obliges the "first walking gent" with, temporary loans, and the landlady of the boarding «- house where the " leading lady " stays. Ouida, the novelist, is fond of declaring the peculiarities and varieties of the various orders of society; they are not more peculiar or more I varied than the "orders" of a theatre, which comprises all kinds of people, from the young, lad going in on his first free ticket to our friend Mac Stingy, who, like a veteran soldier, has often been decorated with orders.

Wells!' " Bough on COESB."— Ask for Wells' " Kougli on SCorns." Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. Moses, Moss & Co., Sydney, Genetal Agents. Profesab* J. Bernwd, of Deyonahire House, Hobson-Btreet, notifies that he continues to give lessons in Dancing and Calisthenics, receiving pupils at bisprivate residence, and attending classes at Remuera and Ponsonby. We unflerstand the Professor intends taking a woll-earnefl holiday shortly, and will probably be absent from AnoklanCl for about three monfclia.