The Green caldron - University Library

THE
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The Unseen Paradox
Diane Bedal
Rhetoric 101, Theme 10
BARE ELECTRIC BULBS CAST A HIDEOUS GLARE ON
the crowded room. The smell of grease paint and sweat was heavy in
the air. Cries of "More wrinkles!" "Greyer hair!" flew back and forth
as the make-up crew converted the faces of the people before them. A
constant drone was heard as the actors nervously paced the floor, each
rehearsing the lines now so much a part of them. Although the entire room
seemed to be in utter chaos, everything went along methodically, as planned
each individual performing his specific function. This is the theatre.
Suddenly, a booming voice broke through the persistent drone, "Places,
everyone ! Places !" People clad in elegant costumes rushed from the room,
their lips murmuring unintelligible words and phrases from their lines, their
hands making final checks on their costumes. Heads nodded, and lips,
twisting the heavy face make-up, silently prayed for success. There was an
electric tenseness in the air. Excitement seemed to flow through the blood
of every one of these people.
Silently the curtain rose and a hush fell over the previously boisterous
audience. One by one, past the footlights, came the actors, but something
happened. Certainly these people weren't the same ones who, just a few
minutes earlier, were nervously mumbling among themselves ! These people
were Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, men of the classic Victorian era
coming alive again.
Their costumes were splendid and elaborate ; their jewels were glowing
like an early morning dew. They controlled the audience as if it were a
puppet—making it cry, then laugh, then shudder. They were like gods.
The tension in the air gave way to an excitement that seemed to possess
everyone. The audience grasped their seats ; they clung eagerly to every
sound that came from the powerful people in the spotlights. The excitement
mounted and mounted.
At last, the final line was said ; the curtain fell ; the spell was broken.
Instantly a thunderous applause arose from the audience. It was deafening.
The actors returned again as the curtain rose, bowing in all their splendor.
The roaring audience stood in a gesture of praise to these magnificent people
on the stage. This was the climax, the moment of glory and reward. This
is the theatre
Now the show has ended. The audience has gone its way, leaving behind
dirty cigarette butts and forgotten gloves. The actors, who only a few
minutes before stood bowing proudly in the magic footlights, return to the
glare of the hot dressing room. The costumes, once so elegant and regal,
hang limp, covered with smears of grease paint, on old iron racks.
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