From the Illustrated Sydney News, 23rd May 1891, p. 5
When people glare at you because you have some particularly bright things to say and are afraid that you will forget them if you wait till the curtain falls, it is considered jeu d’esprit to talk louder than ever, and make things as pleasant as possible for the musical cranks.
When the ballet comes on it is thought eau devie to look through the large end of your opera glass.
When two sisters attend the opera together, it is not nom de plumé for one to wear a bonnet and the other to merely wear false hair. It looks as if there were only one decent bonnet in the family.
The custom of throwing things on the stage is not encouraged by the most eminent artistes.
Never send a floral lyre to the prima donna. A lyre is a more appropriate gift for the manager.
Such expressions as ‘bravo,’ ‘encore,’ and ‘chestnut,’ are not considered affaire de coeur. The bon ton will merely ejaculate ‘rodents’ to express condemnation, and 'immenza’ to express approval.
Gents will be sufficiently mise en scène to abstain from having beer brought to them during the performance. The beer is apt to become flat in transit, and therefore it is advisable to wait until the act is over.
Opera goers from Ashfield and ‘up the line’ can have their overshoes stored in an adjoining building, and thus avoid embarassing the audience.
Playing progressive euchre in the boxes is not esteemed entre nous in the most chic circles.
Gentlemen will please not rise in the midst of a cavatina and enquire: ‘Where in thunder is the cuspidor?’ Such an enquiry is a breach of all that is protègé.
Trousers are a good deal worn by opera goers this winter inside and out.
We have jotted down these few points for the unenlightened, without any special thought, and without consulting any works of reference. If by these few words any soul is led into the ways of behave, our mission is accomplished, and we are content.
B. BATHURST BURR-SMITH
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