subs. (theatrical).—A signal to abridge the performance. [When another ‘HOUSE’ (q.v.) is waiting the word ‘JOHN-AUDLEY’ is passed round.] Also JOHN ORDERLY.
1875. Athenæum, 24 April, p. 545, col. 2. When that wary son of wandering Thespis (Richardson) used to step inside from the front, and ask ‘Is JOHN AUDLEY here?’ the stage-manager dropped the curtain wherever the tragedy might be, and a new audience took the places of the old. Even at this day, in dramatic slang, to JOHN AUDLEY a play means to cut it down to a comfortable brevity.
1893. P. H. EMERSON, Signor Lippo, v. One said, ‘JOHN AUDLEY,’ that means leave off!
