Theatre manners

Press, 17 September 1976, Page 12

Theatre manners

Sir, —Howard McNaughton made a very pertinent comment when he criticised the usherettes’ behaviour during the Canadian Mime Theatre performance in the James Hay Theatre. One hears so much about Christchurch’s Town Hall; naturally, as a visitor, I was eager to experience the sound and visual qualities. I was not prepared for the vision of torch-light flashing during a sensitive performance, nor the sound of creaking doors, shuffling feet and hearty giggles as the usherettes ushered in latereturners from the half-time bar. It proves one thing — that an uneducated public placed in a sophisticated surround, remain uneducated.— Yours, etc., MARY MORRISON. Tauranga. September 14, 1976.

Sir, — Your drama critic is being quite unfair to the usherettes of the James Hay Theatre. The blame for the disturbance after the interval lies squarely with those of the audience who value their cigarettes, alcohol and brilliant conversation more than the entertainment they have paid to attend. It is fundamentally an issue of bad manners and a complete lack of consideration for others (including the performers), and it is time that the young people who dominated Tuesday night’s audience learnt how to behave. The problem was not just at the interval. About 80 per cent of the audience arrived within five minutes of the opening curtain, and many later, so that the start was delayed. These are not new problems, but they are very irritating ones and they are getting worse. I suggest that

the five-minute interval warning call should indicate that no-one will be admitted after the curtain rises, and that this rule be enforced. — Yours, etc.,

D. R. HAY. September 14, 1976.