SMOKING IN THEATRES

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5248, 18 April 1908, Page 5 (Supplement)

SMOKING IN THEATRES

LONDON MANAGERS’ VIEWS. ACTRESSES’ OPINIONS. Tiie recommendation of the Theatres Committee of the London County Council (writes the “Dally Mail” of 17th December) that the prohibition of smoking in those theatres directly under their control should be deleted from all licenses in future, has naturally aroused considerable interest in theatrical circles. The thoatres that will be affected by the recommendation, if it is accepted by the Council, will be very few, and all are in the suburbs, but, as it is understood that the Lord Chamberlain is In no way opposed to the proposed change of regulations, there is a feeling that he might one day offer the West End managers tho privilege that the London County Council are asked to grant to their licensees. Asked for his opinion of the proposed innovation, Mr George Edwardes said : “I am In favor of allowing each manager to do as he likes. I think myself that to allow smoking would ruin any first-class theatre,and you will never see smoking allowed in any theatre under my control. Smoking would tend to lower the character of West End theatres* At the same time, I can quite understand that there are houses in some districts that would benefit if smoking were allowed, and Ik* able to compete on level terms with the music halls." Mr Arthur Collins said: “If any manager wants to allow smoking in his theatre he ought to be able to do so. I do not believe any West End management would allow smoking.” Miss Gertie Millar remarked: “It is too dreadful to think of. As far ns I am concerned. I know that if smoking were allowed my career in the theatre would he cut short.’’ Miss Marie Tempest: “I would not like, to see smoking in theatres, and I do not expect ever lo see it allowed in West End houses.” Miss Winifred Emery: “I am very strongly in favor of keeping things as they are. A change from tho present prohibition would adversely affect theatres, and. after all, are there not, at present, intervals mainly in the interest of the man who wants to smoke?” Mr George Alexander: “I think that for certain outlying theatres, the proposition is a very reasonable one.”