THEATRICAL TOURS OF N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25366, 13 December 1947, Page 2

THEATRICAL TOURS OF N.Z.

INCREASED COSTS AND ACTORS’ DEMANDS, (P.A.> WELLINGTON. December 12. Increased costs and continually increasing demands made by the Australian Actors’ Equity are the reasons £jiven by the directors of J. C. Williamson’s, for abandoning the New Zealand tour of the musical comedy unit which was to have begun at Auckland about the middle of January. This announcement was made by the general manager in New Zealand (Mr Arthur Tait) yesterday. Mr Tait said that this company had recently revived “No, No, Nanette” in Sydney, and played “Follow the Girls. - '■■■•a

The rapid risO in tpe cost of theatrical tours in New Zealand in recent years was perhaps not realised by the public, said Mr Tait The costs had jumped enormously. Before the war it was possible to bring individual members of the company from Sydney at a fare of £lO each way, but on the recent return to Australia of the 54 members of the Borovansky Ballet, the company had had to pay £27 for each person for one crossing. Internal railway and shipping fare concessions hack been eliminated in New Zealand, and in addition the wages and salaries had doubled in recent years. Against these cost increases the admission to the theatrical performances remained stationary. In fact, his firm’s prices were less than they were 20 years ago. It was doubtful whether this could be said of any other trading organisation.