It was once believed to be the
fairies’ colour and therefore a superstition developed that it was not proper
for mere mortals to wear it. Actors wearing green costumes were difficult to
see against the green grass and foliage of outdoor settings, or the traditional
green spotlight (the “limelight”) used in 18th and 19th
century productions. Green is also a difficult colour to light properly.
Sitting in a totally green room before a performance was therefore believed to ward off the powers of this evil colour. That is why the backstage lounge is traditionally known as the Green Room, no matter what colour it is painted.
"Pat, pat; and here's a marvelous convenient place for our rehearsal. This green plot shall be our stage, this hawthorn-brake our tiring-house; and we will do it in action as we will do it before the duke."
—Wm. Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act III, Sc. 1)
Sitting in a totally green room before a performance was therefore believed to ward off the powers of this evil colour. That is why the backstage lounge is traditionally known as the Green Room, no matter what colour it is painted.
"Pat, pat; and here's a marvelous convenient place for our rehearsal. This green plot shall be our stage, this hawthorn-brake our tiring-house; and we will do it in action as we will do it before the duke."
—Wm. Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act III, Sc. 1)
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