SMOKING BANNED IN ALL THEATRES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19241, 1 December 1930, Page 5

SMOKING BANNED IN ALL THEATRES.

SURPRISE EDICT ISSUED BY LORD CHAMBERLAIN. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, November 29. The Lord Chamberlain threw a bombshell at theatre managers to-day, when renewing licenses,, by announcing that in future smoking \Could not be allowed in theatres controlled by him, except the musical comedies and revues now being acted. He said that people had been complaining 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 note that the King and the Queen never visit a theatre where smoking is’ allowed. On the contrary, the Prince of Wales always smokes when allowed, and the Queen of Spain recently thanked the manager of the theatre she attended for a box of cigarettes, and smoked throughout the 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.

The Lord Chamberlain has control, through the issue of licenses, of all theatres in the city of Westminster and in the boroughs of Windsor and Brighton. Except for the University cities. Oxford and Cambridge, County Councils are responsible for the conduct of other theatres. A far more effective and important role affecting the stage exercised by the Lord Chamberlain is his censorship of plays. All new plays and amendments of other plays must be deposited with him for scrutiny, for which purpose there is a special appointment in his department. Examiner of Plays. Should no prohibition or a comment have been made within seven days, the play may be produced.