STAGE LIGHTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23011, 12 April 1938, Page 12

STAGE LIGHTING

"EUNNYMEDE" COSTS APPEAL FOR REMISSION BOARD DECLINES REQUEST An appeal from Runnymede, Incorporated, for remission of lighting charges incurred in staging the play "Runnymede" at His Majesty's Theatre last year, was received by the Auckland Electric-Power Board at its meeting yesterday. The general manager for the board, Mr. R. H. Bartle.v, reported that tho production of the play had apparently not come up to expectations, and the promoters were now asking the board to forgo its lighting account. Tho promoters had been notified that all current used in His Majesty's Theatre, where the play was staged, from September 24 to December 10, was charged direct to J. C. Williamson, Limited, and the board did not look to lessees for payment, but to J. C. Williamson, Limited.

"A Dangerous Precedent" "While the objects of the production of 'Runnymede' might be very worthy I feel that it would be a dangerous precedent to depart from our policy in this connection," stated Mr. Bartley. "The board will remember on more than one occasion that attempts have been made to bring this about, and therefore to grant this request would be establishing a very dangerous precedent. "I feel that I must recommend the board to - decline the request. The amount of our account with J. C. Wil liamson, Limited, in connection with this particular production is £42 16s 9d." Purpose of Production Letters read from Runnymede, Incorporated, pointed out that the production had been staged solely for the benefit of four amateur sports bodies in the Tamaki district. "I do not think it would be at all a proper thing for us to start making allowances in these cases, said the chairman, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, moving the adoption of the report. "They knew what tho lighting and rent charges would bo before they Btarted," remarked Mr. H. T. Goldie. The report was adopted.