Vaudeville cancelled

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 6

Vaudeville cancelled

The popular that , ran from noon until 2| p.m.; in Cathedral Square) each dav during the last Arts, Festival has been cancelled this time. The cause appears to be the economy. The organiser of the event (Miss Danae Goosman) said yesterday that performers had been unwilling to ask their employers for time off. Those who were self-em-ployed were not prepared to take time off, either. “We were left with such a bits and pieces affair that the Arts Festival executive

{decided a week ago to { scratch it,” Miss Goosman i I said. The only groups still prepared to perform were ask- j ing a fee this time. Last fes- ' tival the lunch-time events in the Square were performed free of charge. Miss Goosman said that circulars and questionnaires 1 had been sent to likely i groups and organisations in 1 January. Some were returned expressing re!”- ..nee 1 Ito ask for time off; most; , , 11 {were not returned. I The Arts Festival decision 11

was left until late, to allow organisers time to gather talent from other sources, but the result was a very patchy programme not worth running. Some individual groups might perform on their own initiative, but with Only a week left in which to get City Council permits, most had not bothered, Miss Goosman said. The National Organisation of Women appeared to be i the only group that was (continuing with its plans. It {will hold a march and a I rally in tue Square today.