[DUTIES OF THE PROMPTER.]
The prompter holds the book or MSS. during the performance, and at every rehearsal, following the actors in their lines, explaining the business to them, and whistling for the change of scene. When alone, his duty is to make out the scene and property plot, but when he has an assistant, it is
[THE DUTY OF THE CALL-BOY.]
The call-boy acquaints the characters of the drama of the approach of the time when they must appear upon the stage, and furnishes them with “side-props,” or properties used in the drama, and not found upon the stage. Such things as rings, vials, daggers, notes, and side props, as they are carried on. Half an hour before the time for ringing up the curtain, the call-boy descends to the dressing-rooms and shouts:
“Half-hour!”
At a quarter of eight he again descends and announces:
“Fifteen minutes!”
Ten minutes after he makes the first call, which for “Romeo and Juliet” would be: