Arts Festival

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31628, 14 March 1968, Page 12

Arts Festival

Sir,—With the large numbers of people attending Pan Pacific Arts Festival performances in the various theatres and halls, would it not be possible to open more doors to admit ticket-holders? Human nature does not change, and it is normal to expect the bulk of audiences to arrive within 15 minutes of the advertised starting time. At both the Thursday matinee of “Madam Butterfly” and today’s Sydney Sumphony Orchestra concert great numbers of the public were needlessly detained in the street. Where school parties are attending it is unfair to the public, the pupils, and the harassed school staff to have everyone surging towards one doorway in the vain hope of being seated in good time to enjoy the fine fare which is being offered.—Yours, etc., K.J.O.

March 10, 1968. [Mr Angus MacKenzie, secretary of the festival, replies: “‘K.J.O.’ makes a perfectly fair and - valid point: that more doors should be opened to admit ticket-holders for the various festival attractions. That ticket-holders were being detained was first noticed at the Festival Hall on Sunday afternoon, and a second door was immediately opened so that people could be admitted quickly. I thank ‘K.J.O.’ for his interest and hope that he and many others will continue to attend the attractions of the festival.”]