Green Room

[nic_watkinson]

Does anybody know the history of the theatre term Green Room? Somebody at work has asked me and its one of those terms I've always taken for granted!

[Big_L]

One possible solution is mentioned in this thread.

[pritch]

There's a current thread under Tea Break that might offer you an explanation:

 

http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?s=&s...ndpost&p=122129

[Big_L]

Snap!

[pumphouse]

I wondered about this for a long time. From what I found out, green was thought to be a colour that was relaxing to the eyes, and offerred some relief from the harsh lighting arrangements on the stage. Hence, rooms were painted green to serve as a rest area for the performers, and the name has stuck.

 

This is but one of many therories for how the name was derived. See here for some more theories on how the name was derived. There are several to choose from!

 

I'll leave you to make your own mind up, and other's to shoot me down!

 

Jason

[Guest lightnix]

From what I found out, green was thought to be a colour that was relaxing to the eyes...

IIRC it still is, although I'm not sure how / why it works :D I would speculate that it might have something to do with the pink "afterimage" it leaves on your retinas (for want of a better expression), which afterwards imposes a temporary, rosy-coloured cast on your vision.

 

A quick :( on the subject found...

The most relaxing colors are generally believed to be cool shades such as green and blue. Designers, psychologists, feng shui experts, and advertisers all agree that blues and greens make us feel calm, balanced, and less emotional. They use these hues, especially a sage green, in hospitals, test centers, and television stations to ease nerves and attenuate harsh emotions. Whether this reaction has to do with the effect of wavelengths on brain chemistry, linguistic associations, cultural meanings, or coincidence, has yet to be fully determined.

(Source...)

Green: This is the easiest color for the eyes to focus on for long periods of time. It soothes pain and is associated with optimism

(Source...)

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

(Source...)

 

...although there are also a few negative associations (e.g. Envy, Sickness, Decay, Inexperience and Jealousy) and too much green in a room can make people feel too laid back and even complacent (inject a small amout red or orange into the colour scheme to counteract this effect).

 

A bit more on general colour psychology here.

[Bobbsy]

Isn't theatre fun....a place where "Green Rooms" are rarely green and the "limelight" isn't lime coloured!

 

For that matter, "noise boys" spend lots of time, effort and money eliminating sources of noise, and the "sparks" avoid their namesake at all costs!

 

Bob

[Martin]

... and the "sparks" avoid their namesake at all costs!

Unless their job also involves the pyro :)

[mumbles]

I have always been taught that a green room was so called because limelights were placed there to get the same (greenish) light for actors to do make up as they would have on stage. Hence, the room has since been known as a green room.

 

This may well be completely off the mark, but was told it by someone whose knowledge I respect well, and sort seems to make sense. :)

[David Lee]

...limelights were placed there to get the same (greenish) light ...

 

Was limelight really green - can't see that. I always thought it had nothing to do with the colour but named after the way it was produced. wiki

 

As has been said before, green was considered by the Victorians as a relaxing colour. And I am sure most of these phrases date from the good old Victorians.

[mumbles]

Was limelight really green - can't see that. I always thought it had nothing to do with the colour but named after the way it was produced

As I said, I may well be wrong. Have never used limelights surprisingly, so couldn't say.

[Thirdtap]

One of the venues I work in is part of library complex. The green room get used for meetings and training and quite a few people complain that they drop off or have trouble concentrating in the room. I think it is the colour of the walls (light green) as it has windows along one side of the room letting natural light in.

Another venue the green room is more front of house and is used as a meeting room and sometimes as an overflow dressing room. I don't think I can ever remember it being used as a proper 'green room' for actors...