NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19179, 9 December 1927, Page 7

NATIONAL ANTHEM.

NOT PLAYED AT SYDNEY THEATRE.

(troit en;* own coftaiafOKDXKi.)

SYDNEY, December 2,

Sydney theatregoers, while they are as loyal as any other community in their respect for the King, as the living symbol of free and democratic British institutipns, havo an unfortunate habit very often of leaving their seats at the theatres before the orchestras have had a chance to play the first bar of the National Anthem, as the prelude in some cases to a sprightly jazz tune to wind up the show. It is not a mark of disrespect. They have long distances to travel, and they have ferries and trams and trains to catch. They are in a hurry to get home. B«alising, in the circumstances, that the playing of the National Anthem at that late hour is a bit of a farce, one of the leading vaudeville houses has cut "God Save the King" out of its programmes. Whether its action will be adopted by the other theatres remains to be seen. As a matter of fact, there is a very good precedent in England itself, and in America for this theatrical reform in Sydney, if such it can be termed, for in the very heart of the Empire, nowadays the National Anthem is played in the theatres only when they aire-graced by the King or other representatives of Eoyalty. Similarly, the American National Anthem is only played at United States Bhows when the President condescends to patronise them.