LAWSUIT LOST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 302, 21 December 1935, Page 26

LAWSUIT LOST.

STAGE SUPERSTITION.

" BUT A GOOD ARTIST," SAYS JUDGE. ACTRESS AND FLOWERS. (Special.— By Air Mall.) LONDON", November 30. Superstition lias proved costly to Miss Xorali Chapman, ft London actress. She lost the case —in the King's Bench Division this week—in which she sued the Windmill Theatre, of Piccadilly Circus, claiming damage for alleged wrongful dismissal. In October last year Miss Chapman signed a twelve-month contract with the theatre at £12 a week. On September 7 of this year she wae dismissed. The two sides of the case submitted in Court were: —By Miss Chapman: On the evening I was dismissed 1 was given real flowers to wear on the stage, as part of the show, instead of the customary artificial flowers. This upset me very much, as there is a superstition among actors and actresses that it is unlucky to wear real flowers on the stage. By the Theatre: Miss Chapman disobeyed the stage manager regarding the flowers, and upset the harmony which should exist among the whole company. Also she was bad tempered and made violent scenes off the stage. Mi.ss Chapman denied all these Mr. Vivian Vandam, general manager nt the theatre, said he paid attention to artists' feelings, but not to any of their superstitions. Sir. Justice Horridge, giving judgment for the theatre, with costs, pointed out that there was nothing in his decision which affected Miss Chapman's professional reputation in any way. In fact, everybody admitted that she did her stage work extremely well It is pointed out that the "flower superstition" is only one of many stage superstitions. Among other things, it is considered unlucky to whistle in a dressing room; say the tag (last) line of a play at rehearsals (all producers recognise this); dress a scene in green or wear green: accept a five-shilling piece; sing "Three Blind Mice," "I Dreamt T Dwelt in Marble ITalls" or Tosti's "Good-bye"; introduce "gold" or "golden" in a play-title.