Too Many Theatres Are Draughty

Chronicle (Levin), 22 June 1948, Page 3

Too Many Theatres Are Draughty

GISBORNE., June 21. Critieism of the lack of heating back stage in most tlieatres in New Zealand, was voiced by Webster Booth when speaking to the Gisborne Rotary Club at a luncheon today. Theatres appeared to be well appointed from box office to euytain, said Mr. Booth, but behind that there were draughts which almost blow tlie 'performers off the stage. He was sure that if back stage heating were installed, niore overseas artists would perforru in the smaller towns in the Dominion. At present many of the tlieatres were not iit for them to appear in. Botli he and" his wife, Anne Zeigler, had found New Zealand audiences particularly receptive and very warm and understanding, however, and this helped tremendously. They . were enjoying New Zealand from the seenic point of view but liad fouud travelling facilities very bad. This was also partly the ■ reason wliy leading overseas" arfists performed only in the main centres. In fliis wav they missed meeting tlie real people of New Zealand, said Mr. Booth, and they were well worth meeting. So far lie and his wife had found their Dominion tour very pleasdnt and they were sineerely hoping that the rest of it would be as Tllensnnt-