In dressing the characters, care should be taken to do it neatly and
securely, for to lose a portion of a costume, often turns the most
serious scene to ridicule; and besides, a drawing-room audience is one
of the most critical.
Ladies with light, airy dresses should not go too near to the
footlights, and those with long trains should be careful of the manner
in which they are swung around.
The gentlemen must not forget to remove their hats when entering a
parlor scene, unless the business of the play requires otherwise; and
on the other hand, care should be taken to wear them in exteriors,
unless, as before, there should be some reason. In making up the
costumes, glazed muslin of various colors will be found quite effective
and extremely cheap, and of this, with a few spangles and cheap gilt
braid, very tasteful dresses may be made for ancient dramas, Mexicans,
Gypsies, fairies, etc.