THE THEATRE HAT

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13652, 22 July 1908, Page 7

THE THEATRE HAT

Tile vexed question of women's hats in the sialls >cf tneatres has been solved in Rome and other Italian', centres by special prohibition of the Pertooiure. The Perfect of .Milan, however, has declined to interfere, so that the managements have had to content themselves with posting up appeals, to lady patrons, which have been generally disregarded, except at the Bcala Opera House and three other firstclass theatres. d 1 ... On the night of May 29th at the Olyinpia CoiiKdv° Theatre—a much-frequented middle cku.s resort, where lively seeutfj of protest have often occurred ot late—there was again an angry demonstration. Groups of women wearing monster "picture" hats occupied the front seats, wholly blocking the view of .those in their rear. The majority of these women obstinately refused to comply wi li the request of the staff that they should remove their headgear. Municipal Guards also intervened, but as .hey had no authority to back their persuasion*, matters reached a. deadlock. . The vast audit lice meanwhile drowned th> voices of the players every time they attempted to begin. The demonstration was kept up for an hour and a half, villi free fights iiiterpeircd, until the last of the off-nding women had either removed her hat. had it vhisked off for-her, or had" prudeniflv witlu'|.ivu. When- the play finally began it was half-past ten o'clock. ~ ,-. Th» famous I(ali-i) comedian. V irgmo Tallf announced., that 'the Perfect had pronged to intervene in the controversy.;