What is the theatre, really,

But blinding lights that beat one weary,

And applause from those who only know what you show like the petals of a lily?

All that attention should leave one bleary.

Goodness knows how it affects those who play after the curtains close,

With all that attention - no, that fame - getting to their heads,

Leading to a dizzying high, and soon after, crushing lows.

The effects should leave aspiring actors in their beds.

Yet on and on they go, knowing what they could have, though

They know chasing the sun will leave them badly burnt.

It’s not the sun they’ll get to - it’s a microscope they’ll be seen through, one unimaginable years ago.

Back they’ll look on things, wishing circumstances just weren’t.

All that and more you could say, either to warn or to keep competition at bay,

But there’s not much harm - and far more good to be done - in acting in a movie, musical, or play.