It Isn’t Done

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 24

It Isn’t Done

American Publicity for “Mary Dugan” KING’S OPINION WANTED The following correspondence took place between Bayard Veiller, the American author of “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” and Sir Alfred Butt, who, with Mr. Al. Woods, presented the play at the Queen’s Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, recently. Mr. Veiller cabled to Sir Alfred Butt: Can you possibly induce someone in Royal Household to cable me bis Majesty’s appreciation “Dugan”? Immensely valuable advertising here. Sir Alfred replied: I sent Mr. Woods a cable yesterday stating that their Majesties Tad graciously attended a performance of “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” and that to enable them to get an uninterrupted view of the stage I had specially constructed a box in the dress circle for their convenience. I am afraid, however, that I could not accede to your request and ask anyone in the Royal Household to give me a message such as you suggest for advertising purposes, as it is quite contrary to all precedent, etiquette and common usage, except in the case of a command performance. Their Majesties and the whole of the Royal Family are great patrons of the theatre in this country, and it is an unwritten law that their visits should be treated as being of a purely private nature. The fact that they have attended a performance speaks for itself, but to try to use a Royal visit in the way you suggest for advertising purposes would, I am sure, be very much resented and in effect would react on the theatre in this country and jeopardise the freedom with which the whole of the Royal Family takes part in our national life. “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is at present playing in Australia and will come to New Zealand later in the year.