The Madison Center for the Arts - Ever wonder where the theatre phrase “in the limelight” came from? Historically, shows were lit by lighting flames at calcium oxide (aka quicklime). These days
![The Lime light: Quicklime light & the limelight effect | DIY limelight demonstration | Trove Arts - YouTube The Lime light: Quicklime light & the limelight effect | DIY limelight demonstration | Trove Arts - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rJYDxbjCuAE/maxresdefault.jpg)
The Lime light: Quicklime light & the limelight effect | DIY limelight demonstration | Trove Arts - YouTube
![1851, Illustration depicting the mechanism of the Drummond Light. Limelight (also known as Drummond light or calcium light), was a type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls. An 1851, Illustration depicting the mechanism of the Drummond Light. Limelight (also known as Drummond light or calcium light), was a type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls. An](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/RJAE1M/1851-illustration-depicting-the-mechanism-of-the-drummond-light-limelight-also-known-as-drummond-light-or-calcium-light-was-a-type-of-stage-lighting-once-used-in-theatres-and-music-halls-an-intense-illumination-is-created-when-an-oxyhydrogen-flame-is-directed-at-a-cylinder-of-quicklime-calcium-oxide-RJAE1M.jpg)