Why, on television programmes, is the green room called the green room?

Question

You know - the place where guests sit before going out for their interview with Jonathon Ross or whoever.

Answer 1

A green room is a room in a theater, studio, or other public venues for the accommodation of performers or speakers when not required on the stage.

The origin of the term is unknown and is the source of many folk etymologies. In some explanations it is said, that the colour was a response to limelight – early stage lighting. Green is also thought to be a calming and soothing colour.

The most widely accepted origin of the term dates back to Shakespearean theatre. Actors would prepare for their performances in a room filled with plants and shrubs. It was believed that the moisture in the topiary was beneficial to the Actors' voices.

Richard Southern, in his studies of Medieval theatre in the round, states that the acting area was "The Green". The central space, often grass covered, was used by the actors, while the surrounding space and circular banks were occupied by the spectators. Since then "The Green" has been a traditional actor's term for the stage. Even in proscenium arch theatres there was a tradition that a green stage cloth should be used for a tragedy. The green room is thus the room on the way to the green.

It has been suggested that the original 'green room' was in a London theatre converted from office buildings. The room behind the stage was previously used to cut deals and was known as the 'agreeing room,' and the phrase has become corrupted over the years.

In some theatre companies, the term green room also refers to the director's critique session held after a rehearsal or performance, since it is often held in the "green room."

The "green room" is also another place where, patrons or fans may meet and greet the famous musician(s)/performer(s) after a concert. A fee is usually paid to gain access to this area.

Green room is also a surfing term used to describe the internal aspect or space of a breaking wave. The green room or barrel is inside the tube.

Answer 2

This is a popular question on various etymology sites, and there's no definite answer. While the green room is now commonly thought of as the place where celebrities wait before being asked pre-arranged questions on television, it originally referred to the off-stage room that actors waited in before storming the boards.

The first written use of the phrase comes from 1701, indicating that it was in the theatrical vernacular during the 16th century. DeProverbio, a scholarly journal dedicated to the study of proverbs (or paremiology), posits that it may come from the noble colors worn by early theater companies in honor of their royal patrons.

Michael Quinion's World Wide Words, a wonderful resource that's been around since 1996, notes that archaic slang for the stage is "the green." Hence, the room that's just off the stage may have been designated the "green room." He also debunks the notion put forth by Word Detective that green soothed the eyes of limelight-stunned actors, since candles were used to light early stages.

One of the more creative theories presented at the Internet FAQ Consortium is that the green room was commonly used to store stage shrubbery and grass and was therefore a nice soothing place for a Shakespearean actor to adjust his dress and check his wig before heading out to woo Juliet.

Answer 3

I think it is because it is internationally recognised as a scientific fact that the colour green is the most relaxing and mentally soothing colour. That's why ambulance uniforms are green. Therefore the green room is the the room which is there to help guests relax before and after the show .
I hope my theory is correct.

Answer 4

It is because the color green is known to be a soothing and relaxing color. The term is used mostly for talk shows. Being in the green room is supposed to help the guests be calm before appearing.

Answer 5

A light green color is suppossed to help people relax, so this room used to be painted green in theaters and stage sets. Don't know if they still use the color or just the name

Answer 6

I once read, that Buckingham Palace, has the original Green Room.
It is/was a room where the queen greets and meets people.

Answer 7

Because originally they were painted green as green is considered to be the most relaxing colours and that would help relax individuals before appearing on screen.

Answer 8

The room where people wait before their appearance is painted green because that is the most calming colour, it is meant to assist in calming nerves.

Answer 9

green light = off air
red light = on air
just a guess but i think it makes sense!

Answer 10

Green is go, so everyone is going on stage soon,,,just a guess.