You are never so alone as when you are ill on stage. The most nightmarish feeling in the world is suddenly to feel like throwing up in front of four thousand people.

Summary

This quote captures the intense vulnerability and isolation that actors can experience while performing on stage, especially when they are unwell. Being in the spotlight, with thousands of expectant eyes fixed on them, creates immense pressure. The fear of succumbing to sickness and the humiliation it could bring intensifies this pressure. It speaks to the unique anxiety and terror one can feel when their physical well-being, or lack thereof, becomes starkly apparent in a public setting. The quote highlights the dread of compromised composure, revealing how daunting it is to face such a personal struggle in the midst of an audience's judgment.

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