“MY FAIR LADY”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 10

“MY FAIR LADY”

City Showing In Dispute

There was no question that his firm would argue about public safety or the safety of its artists, said Mr K. C. Campbell, New Zealand director of J. C. Williamson Theatres, Ltd., in a telephone interview with “The Press” yesterday on the possibility that “My Fair Lady” would not be brought to Christchurch because the Theatre Royal would not comply with the requirements for a public hall licence after the end of this year. “If there is a question of public safety, then we are players, as long as we understand the requirements,” Mr Campbell said. The Theatre Royal had been used for many years, there was a fireman on duty at every performance, faucets were provided and emergency exits seemed adequate. If those precautions needed to be strengthened then the company would fall into line, but sprinklers behind the stage seemed to be another matter altogether, he said. Requirements Elsewhere

The company, which owns the theatre and is presenting the musical show in New Zealand, did not have to face sprinkler installations backstage in Auckland or Wellington, Mr Campbell said, and he regarded such fire protection as a matter between the company and the fire insurance underwriters, as long as the normal precautions for public safety were taken

He could say a lot more about sprinkler installations. Mr Campbell said, but preferred not to do so as the company might have to go to court to test the City Council’s requirement. He could give no indication when “My Fair Lady” was coming to Christchurch, as it was still playing to full houses in Wellington. Resulting froni the dispute between the company and the Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond), Mr A. J. Elliott, manager of the company in Now Zealand, flew to Christchurch yesterday for discussions with local body representatives and solicitors.

Meanwhile, an organisation which is raffling tickets for Christchurch performances of the show is “playing safe.” It has advertised that if the show does not come to the city the cost of a return air fare to Wellington will be added to the prizes.

Support Urged The Chief Fire Officer had made his recommendations to the council, and the council had carried out the requirements, said Mr W R. Campbell, chairman of the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board, last evening. “I am anxious that he should be backed up to the hilt and that there should be no relaxation of the requirements for public safety in a city wihch is very fireconscious,’ Mr Campbell said. The theatre company was well aware of the value of sprinkler systems in Australian theatres where there had been fires, he added.