THEATRES ON SUNDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20252, 11 May 1929, Page 15

THEATRES ON SUNDAY.

LONDON MANAGERS' DEMAND. VIEWS OF THE PERFORMERS. " GOOD NIGHT FOR NEW PLAYS." [iROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, April 5. There is a movement 011 foot to have tho theatres in London opened on Simday nights. The matter is being considered by the Society of West End Managers and tho Entertainments Protection Association.' As tho result of their deliberations a letter has been forwarded to tho London County Council demanding that theatres should enjoy the same facilities as those granted to cinemas, musichalls, hotels and restaurants. In the course of the letter, Mr. Walter Payne, the chairman of both organisations, points out that the London County Council really has no power to sanction the opening of places of entertainment licensed by it. Yet a practice has grown up of the council issuing something in th.e nature of a permit, by which, iu consideration of an agreed sum to be paid to a charity recognised by the council in respect of every Sunday performance, the council disregards tho breach of the express prohibition against Sunday opening contained in tb» statute and the licences and thus acquiesces in tho giving of entertainments on Sundays at cinemas, music-halls, hotels, restaurants and other places of entertainment licensed by the council under the various Acts.

In conclusion the letter suggests that action should be initiated by the County Council, acting in concert with the Lord Chamberlain (Lord Cromer), to remedy the position. If this be not done the organisations concerned may be compelled to consider drastic action.

West L'nd Cinemas Packed. . Would actors welcome the Sunday uight playing ? lias been asked. Air. George Grossmith said: "I think it is monstrous that 1 must keep the Strand Theatre closed on Sunday evenings while :i dozen or so big cinemas in the' West End are packed. If I could open my theatre I should make more money. That is the business point of view. As an actor I should loathe having to perform on Suyday evenings and afternoons, for it would soon come to Sunday matinees. I realise that there are many actors and actresses who do not mind playing on Sundays, and it is equally monstrous that they should be debarred from doing so iiiid making extra money, except through the medium of private societies." Mr. Seymour Hicks said:—"l should welcome Sunday theatres with open arms and so, I imagine, would any sensible person. It would give the theatres a real chance. Sunday is the one (lav which could be a proper family day in the theatre. Most of the money spent in London on Sunday evening entertainment is going to American film people. Why should not the English theatre havo its share? Many plays that lose £IOO on Monday nights would make a profit of £3OO on Sunday nights." Miss Sybil Thorndike remarked :—"I am very keen on Sunday theatres so long as artists can be safeguarded against having to work seven days a week. Actors and actresses should be the servants of the public, and it is really a question of public demand. I think the popularity of cinemas on Sunday evenings shows that there is a demand. I believe that Sunday evening would be a very good time for producing new plays. People would go to the theatre with fresh, rested minds and so lie able to appreciate the qualities of plays better than they can after the day's work. 'Journey's End' and 'The Lady With a Lamp,' two of the biggest successes in the theatre, were first seen by Sunday nights audiences, which came fresh fo (hem." " The Best Night in the Week," Miss Marie Tempest expressed her views as follows:—"Sunday should be the best night in the week for flic theatres from a business point of view. In these difficult times we must do all we can to make both ends meet, and although I like my Sunday evenings free, 1 would be willing to work on Sunday and rest on Monday."

"If it, were necessary," said Mr-Payne, "we might act as common informers, and prosecute in accordance, with the Sunday Observance Act, to show up the unfair state of affairs. There are. at least 250.0 CX) playgoers who would willingly attend theatres on a Sunday night. Why should not ihe public have what they want? Ihe . 7 >oo cinemas open in London on Sunday evenings provide entertainment for about 400,0C0 people. Why should Ave bo debarred?"