SMOKING IN THEATRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21197, 1 December 1930, Page 9

SMOKING IN THEATRES

PROHIBITED IN ENGLAND. A SHOCK FOR MANAGERS. (United Press Association.) (By. Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) . LONDON, November 20, ' (Received Nov. 30, at 6.5 p.m.) The Lord Chamberlain threw a bombshell at theatre managers to-day, wl«u he renewed their licenses by announcing that in future smoking would not be allowed in theatres controlled by .him, except the musical comedies and revues which were now being acted. He said that people had been writing in complaint of the practice. . This reverses the decision made in 1915, when smoking was introduced for the benefit of soldiers on leave. It is worthy of noth that the King and Queen never visit a theatre where smoking is allowed. On the contrary, the Prince of Wales always smokes when he is allowed, and the Queen of Spain the other night thanked a manager for a box of cigarettes and smoked throughout a performance. There are now almost as many women smokers in London audiences as men. American and Continental visitors also appreciated the custom, as smoking is barred in their theatres.