DISORDER IN THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume 170, Issue 170208, 3 May 1920, Page 8

DISORDER IN THEATRE

■A MYSTERIOUS DEMONSTRATION! Australian, and N.Z.. Cable Assn.. JJy .iiilecLric Teleersupii—Copyright. ,-■- LONDON, April 30. Extraordinary scenes occurred at the j Garricli 'Theatre. Interruptions from Pine, gallery compelled the abandonment ! of tile first night of Hartley -Blanners'' | play "One Night in Rome," in which i -vlr .Lanrefebe Taylor, in famous ' "Peg 0' My Heart," was appearing. There* was a brilliant; audience, ineiua- ■ ing the American Ambassador (Mr i Davis), whose box was draped with American flags. Some state that the demonstration was duo to the scenery not allowing the galleryites a proper ■ view of the stage, but it was possibly j connected with Mr Laurette 'JL'aylor'a attitude during the war, as paper pellets, snuff and red pepper were discovered in the gallery, proving that the ' demonstration was organised. j Mr Laurette Taylor, in a speech, at- ; tempted to placate the disturbers, promising seats in the stalls another night, j but failed. Mr Cochrane then stopped I the play,- and promised another iirst night. The disturbances recalled- the "Old Price" riots at Covent Garden in 1809. Miss Taylor, Messrs Cochrane and Ilart- ' ley-Manners profess to be at a loss to divine the cause, though they were certainly planned,- as stink bombs were dropped in the stalls. Mr. Justice Horridge, who was present, suggests a Sinn Fein plot, but probably the real cause will be disclose'd to-day. Details were unprocurable owing to the late hour.

THE SECOND NIGHT. LONDON, May 1. At the second "first night 15 of the play on Monday there was a big demonstration of public sympathy with Mr Laurette. The reason for the disorders is still undisclosed,' but it is generally believed to be traceable to certain remarks Mr Laurette made in New York ai't e r his last English visit.