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FILM MANAGERS FAVOUR CHANGE.

SAY THAT SMOKING SHOULD BE ALLOWED.

Theatre managers in Christchurch are generally in favour of a relaxation of the strict rules against smoking in houses of entertainment, although they admit that there is much to be said both for and against the practice. Three managers interviewed considered that if smoking were limited to cigarettes and cigars only it would find favour with the public. Smoking in theatre auditoriums is forbidden by the Fire Board regulations, and in the absence of a generally expressed desire to smoke during performances on the part of theatre patrons there does not seem to be any likelihood of a change coming about. Mr Maurice Ralph, South Island manager for J. C. Williamson (N.Z.), Ltd., said he could see no reason why smoking should not be allowed in specified portions of theatres when musical comedy was being presented, but for picture theatres it might not be desirable, because the smoke would probably make the air hazy and interfere with clear vision of the screen. “ But it’s no use talking about it in this country,” he added, “ because of the fire regulations. I don’t think "that danger of fire from smoking is of much importance, though we have on odd occasions found a carpet smouldering around a carelessly dropped butt.” Works Well Elsewhere. Mr Irvine Elston, of St James’ Theatre, said he had attended many theatres in London and elsewhere where smoking was permitted. It was usual in most theatres, and, as a consequence, no notice was taken of it. The fact that the practice occasioned no trouble where it had been in vogue so long made it reasonable to suppose that it would work equally well in this country. W ell-ventilated theatres could deal with the smoke efficiently, and it was unlikely that smoking would make conditions inside the theatres unpleasant. “With smoking generally indulged in both by men and women I think that the theatre first to introduce it would | receive the support of the public,” said Mr Claude Ilaigh, of Christchurch Cinemas, Ltd. “There is no reason why I those people who enjoy a cigarette should not be able to ‘light up’ while seeing a picture from the comfortable lounge seat of a modern theatre. With up-to-date ventilation systems there would be no trouble in getting rid of the smoker fans and blowers change the air in the biggest modern theatres every two or three minutes.” “Would Be Sorry To See It.” “ Smoking has never been allowed so far in theatres in New Zealand and I should be sorry to. see it now,” said Superintendent C. C. Warner, of the Christchurch Fire Brigade. “It is forbidden by one! of the Fire Board regulations, and I think that the danger of fire is very real. We have on several occasions

found incipient fires in theatres after performances—a cigarette smouldering down the. back of a seat or something like that. There are also a number of people who don’t smoke and it would not be very pleasant for women sitting in theatres if men were blowing smoke in their faces all the time. The interval gives those who desire to do so an opportunity to smoke and I do not think anything further would be desirable.”

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19301202.2.43

Bibliographic details

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19242, 2 December 1930, Page 4

Word Count
544

FILM MANAGERS FAVOUR CHANGE. Star (Christchurch), Issue 19242, 2 December 1930, Page 4

FILM MANAGERS FAVOUR CHANGE. Star (Christchurch), Issue 19242, 2 December 1930, Page 4

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