LIGHTS FOR A COMIC OPERA.

Northern Advocate, 6 October 1913, Page 4

LIGHTS FOR A COMIC OPERA.

ELEVENTH HOUR ARRANGE-

MENTS,

THE CHORAL UNION AND

COUNCIL.

At the eleventh hour the Choral Union finds itself faced with grave difficulties in regard to the lighting of the Town Hall stage for the production of the comic opera "Doris."

It is stated that the custodian of the Town Hall, who is also in charge of the electric lighting plant, informed the Union that extra lights needed for effect could be introduced, and on the strength of this the necessary plant was ordered from Auckland by the Union. The Town Hall Committee, however, at a meeting last Wednesday, resolved that the lights needed could not be used. One or two of the responsible officers of the Union were informed verbally by the Mayor of the committee's attitude, but up to the time of going to press we are informed that no official intimation of the committee's decision had reached the Union.

Of course this has hit the operatic society rather heavily. An expert outside opinion is that the plant available will run all the lights necessary for the proper lighting of the stage, provided the extra lights are used when the current in the main body of the hall is cut off,. which, of course, would '.be the case, as the lights in the hall must necessarily be out when the opera is in progress. The Union is new considering the question of installing an acetylene plant, but there are all sorts of difficulties in the way. The insurance people will have to be consulted, and the Council, too, will have to be satisfied in regard to the safety of the building and so forth. This at the last moment is all very disconcerting to the Union, the first night of the production being Wednesday. The Mayor informed an "Advocate" representative this morning that the Uniqn were not permitted to use the arc lamps because there was not sufficient power to bear the lode, but the Union officials claim that there is ample power when the lights are not burning in the hall.

There is some comment just now among members of the Union at the fact of the Council having told the custodfan of the hall that he must not take part in the opera. The caretaker has been practising with the chorus throughout, and costumes had been made for his use. It is argued that his participation in the chorus would in no way interfere with his duties at the electric switches as he would be on hand all the time.