BEHIND THE SCENES The Bulletin, 8 April 1893        

The actor struts his little hour,
    Between the limelight and the band;
The public feel the actor’s power,
    Yet nothing do they understand
Of all the touches here and there
    That make or mar the actor’s part,
They never see, beneath the glare,
    The artist striving after art.

To them it seems a labour slight
    Where nought of study intervenes;
You see it in another light
    When once you’ve been behind the scenes.

For though the actor at his best
    Is, like a poet, born not made,
He still must study with a zest
    And practice hard to learn his trade.
So, whether on the actor’s form
    The stately robes of Hamlet sit,
Or as Macbeth he rave and storm,
    Or plays burlesque to please the pit,

‘Tis each and all a work of art,
    That constant care and practice means -
The actor who creates a part
    Has done his work behind the scenes.