THEATRE QUEUES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1570, 27 May 1920, Page 32

THEATRE QUEUES

PROTEST IN SYDNEY. A deputation from the Sydney City Council, headed bj r the Lord Mayor, recently waited upon the Chief Secretary (Mr. Dooley), asking for the abolition of the queue at theatres. The Lord Mayor, in introducing the deputation, pointed out that much congestion was caused in the narrow streets of the city by the early doors queues at the theatres. Aiderman Bramston said . that the early door was an exploitation of the public by the theatre managers. The theatres, he thought, should be compelled to build vestibules to accommodate the waiting people, as most of the picture shows had done. Another great evil was the packing in the gallery. A man was there for the special purpose of packing the people. He contended that each person in the gallery should be provided with a chair, corresponding with the number of the ticket purchased at the door, and sufficient lavatory accommodation was not provided at most of the theatres. The Chief Secretary, in reply, said that some reform was absolutely required in the interests of the public. Therq appeared to be two ways to rectify matters. One was to open the doors early, though it was debatable if that would do away with the queue, because if the doors were opened at 6 the people might gather

at 5. The second method was to number every seat. The companies, he thought, should be asked to provide accommodation in the vestibules for the waiting people. The exploitation of the people was not altogether the point they had to deal with. He agreed with Aiderman Bramston as regards the need for improved sanitary accommodation at the theatres. In conclusion, Mr. Dooley said that he would go into these questions in consultation with the council and the managers.