a stern word with her in the wings

[dilermando]

From The night even Liz Hurley got squiffy... and she wasn't the only one | Mail Online

In the sentence below, what does the word in bold mean?

On more than one occasion, Elton could be seen having a stern word with her in the wings between awards.

[Anglika]

stern word[s] = was speaking firmly and severely about her behaviour.

in the wings = At each side of a theatre stage are the entrances for the actors. These the wings of the stage. In this case, Elton John and Liz Hurley were off the stage and to one side of it, possibly behind curtains or a screen.