E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Lever de Rideau.
A light and short dramatic sketch placed on the stage while the manager is preparing to introduce his drama for the night, or “draw up the curtain” on the real business.
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“An attempt to pack a romantic tragedy into the space filled by an ordinary lever de rideau.”—Nineteenth Century, Dec., 1892, p. 964.
