THEATRE SMOKING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2669, 15 January 1916, Page 14

THEATRE SMOKING

LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S CONCESSION. Smoking is to be allowed in London theatres. The Lord Chamberlain recently received a deputation from tho Society of West End Theatre Managers at St. James's Palace, when Mr. J. M. Gatti, chairman, pointed out that although few of the managers would apply tor their audiences to bo allowed to smoke, the society was unanimously in favour of permission being within easy reach of any of the members who desired it. j Lord Sandhurst expressed his keen wish to help the London managers, particularly in times that are so difficult for them, and be consented, if any manager applies, to delete from Clause 53 of the theatre license tho word "auditorium." Thus a stroke of a pen alters tlie license and allows smoking. Clause 53 reads: No smoking is permitted in the auditorium, the orchestra, the ~ green-rooms, the dressing-rooms, tho wings, or within the precincts of the stage, except so far as may be necessary on the 6tage in connection with the performance. Lord Sandhurst said that as the change was in the nature of an experiment, it ought to bo regarded at present as a temporary one, say for the duration of tho war. Mr. Arthur Cliudleigli, for the Comedy Theatre, and Mr. Frank Gurzon, for tbc Playhouse, applied for tho alteration of license to allow smoking. At these two theatres revues are the attraction. The managements of Drury Lane, Daly's, the St. James's, the' Haymarket, His Majesty's, the Vaudeville, the Royalty, the New, and Wyndham's have no intention of allowing smoking in their theatres.