his functions are, to a certain extent, unlimited and surrounded by secrecy.
These three almighty creatures spend their time in rooms furnished with carpets, easy-chairs and similar luxuries, which, however, are forced to flaunt themselves in fashionable drawing-rooms on the stage when needed.
There, higher authorities are succeeded by lesser authorities, whose titles begin with Co-Directors and Secretaries, and end with Assistants. The latter rattle telephones, and bang feverishly on typewriters, copying out rôles, letters and memoranda. It is just like an ordinary office, except that it is somewhat distracted; every one is in a fearful hurry; and every one is working like the devil. That is part of the whole game.
The rôle of the reader of plays is a very quiet one, and plays itself out in a little room hidden away in a corner somewhere. It is an oasis of peace, inducing a deep, almost refreshing lassitude in the feverish swirl of the theatrical factory. To this little room
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