THE LONDON STAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20995, 23 December 1939, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE LONDON STAGE

WAR REGULATIONS FIGHT TO KEEP OPEN Although a common-sense and—all things considered—satisfactory arrangement for the night opening of London’s theatres and music halls has been reached, the problem of the game being worth the candle is still as obscure as a taxicab in the blackcut, says a London critic. Personally, I think that people, tired of parlour games, books and “ This is the 8.8. C. Home Service,” will want to take a peep at an unfamiliar West End and seek the thrill of groping their way hand in hand from tneatre to tube and from tube to bed. And having thus adventured in safety once, they will go again and again, always provided, of course, that the entertainment in theatre and music-hall makes “ the run up West ” worth while. That, of course, is up to the managements who carried their cause on to the Home Office carpet and were sensible enough to recognise the half loaf of “ staggered hours ” as better than no bread at all. Brieflly, the arrangement means that in alternate weeks some theatres will remain open until 11 p.m., while others must close at eight. And we in New Zealand complain about war restrictions!