THE THEATRE IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 13

THE THEATRE IN AMERICA.

: • ... .v ... o SHOWS NOT BF HIGH CLASS.

STARTLING PRICES CHARGED

Conditions ;in the theatre in England •were found. by Mr. E. J. Tait, on his recent visit to that country, to be * very • bad, although • they were somewhat better in the ? United ■ States, particularly • New ; York, ' where the large ' theatres 'going public, constantly fed •; by the transient population, makes it one of-the best show] "places an the world. : '.Mr. Tait-, who is a . director , of . the wellknown firm- of J. and N. Tait, is paturning home by the R.M.S. Makura, after securing a number of attractions for his firm, chief .among which is. -the Melba Grand Opera ■ Company. His impression was that most of & the shows drawing tremendous houses in New York were of : a standard - that would ; not >be tolerated by New Zealand or Australian houses, /and» the prices •> - charged i were startling. The Zeigfeld Follies, for in/stance, charged 22 dollarsfor,'i a seat at the first) performance, and for the regular performances following .5$ ' dollars, but; seats could ? then: be secured' only on the payment of a* very f high « premium While: there were j many Australian artists meeting with , success in both ' V England ; and America Mr. Taifc said the /great" majority of ! them - were i anxious; to return, as; the conditions Jin their own country 'were sq much better in every way. ■"