know; but in a theatre you are always handling sheer impossibilities.
Scenery consists: (1) of various movable articles of furniture, such as stairs, steps, pedestals, and tables, folding scaffolding, and similar woodwork known also as plastic scenery; (2) of prospects and horizons, which are the large painted sheets which hang at the back; (3) of flats, which are frame-like decorations screwed to the floor; (4) of borders and drops and arches, which again are painted cloths, hanging on so-called battens; (5) of draperies; (6) of various coverings, which merely mask gaps in the wings. This is all, and from such weak materials and rags have to be conjured up earth and sky, castles in the air, etc., etc. And when at the dress rehearsal all this is standing on the stage, suspended, screwed to the ground, supported by brackets, and still smelling of wood and glue, the foreman is radiant with glory. He does not see the actors, nor know what is being said on the stage, but he feels to the depths of his soul
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