SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 200, 22 May 1944, Page 6

SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERTS

With the suggestion that a more liberal policy on Sunday night entertainment should be adopted in Wellington, a cir cular is being shut to all candidates at the municipal elections over the names if teachers of dancing and others directly interested asking them if they will support the appointment by the city council of a special committee to deal with applications for permission to hold entertainments on Sundays. The circular suggests that the present censorship is unduly restrictive and therefore interferes with the presentation of variety entertainment of a high artistic standard which is not desirable in the interests ot the public, the advancement of the ballet and other forma of artistic expression, and the financial benefit to the various charities concerned. The existing restrictions prohibit performances by magicians, ventriloquists, operatic or tap ballet dancing by girls under 12 years of age (dress restrictions imposed by the city council render it impossible for girls over 1years to take part in operatic or tap ballet dancing), acrobatic dancing at all ages, or the use of property and scenic effects. Such limitations are obviously not consistent, with modern standards, and do not encourage the development of artistic talent, states the circular. So far as can be ascertained, permits are granted by all local bodies from Christchurch to Auckland and no censorship of any kind exists in those cities. The signatories are A. P. Burnette, Valerie Jackman, Gladys Tonkins, Dorothy Daniels, Diang Power-Palmer, Hazel Martin, D. Alabaster and Charles Lindsay.