|
Most people have concluded that the term probably came from the color the early Green Rooms in the theatre were painted, but no one has any idea why they would be painted green.
Here are some other ideas:
- because plays originally took place outside on the village green
- because it was soothing to actors eyes after performing in front of harsh lights
- because it was where the shrubbery used on stage was stored, and that made it a cool, comfortable place
- because the room was walled with green baize cloth as soundproofing, so actors could practice their lines
- Scene, screen and green rhyme. Green Room might actually be a mis-statement of Scene Room where scenery screens were stored
- because "green" was stage jargon for the section of the stage visible to the public, so the Green Room was the room nearest the stage
So why isn't the Green Room green? Theatre superstition says that it's bad luck to paint the green room green. No one seems to know why.
|
|
