THEATRE HOODLUMS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 434, 17 February 1909, Page 7

THEATRE HOODLUMS.

A STRONG COMPLAINT. , (Bt TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL , COEKESrONDENT.) Auckland, February 16. Tho theatre hoodlum is known in all the principal centres of tho Dominion, but lie is probably to be seen at his worst in Auckland. During tho present season of tho KolkerTithoradge Co. interruptions and rudo interjections have been very frequent. - Last week a bottle, was actually thrown from tho gallery of Fuller's Opera House into the stalls, and because no one wbb' hurt the offender got off with a£s fine. Commonting on these • facts, Mr. G, H. Smith (Mr. J. 0. Williamsoil's representative with : the Kolker-Tithor-idgo Co.) say:— I "Theleniency of tho.punishment - imposed on the man, 'charged, with throwing a beer bottle from the gallery into, tho stalls at tho Opera House recently is amazing to me. Suroly;'if the fine imposed: is the maximum; penalty the magistrate could have imposed, the sooner the law is amended in this direction the better for the safety and welfare of those who attend the theatro. The. galleries in this city, are noted for the misbehaviour of some who regularly attend them "with the idea of airing their common.vulgar wit (if the term may be used) by now and then during a performance throwing out rude interjections' when' the artists' (in most cases), are ongaged in some earnest, tense scene. ,1 am prepared, to say that even in tho midland arid northern towns in England (where one looks for the galleryito to be a moro rough and uneducated person), speaking generally, much better behaviour exists.: Such a thing as hide interjections, cracking of nuts, etc., during a quiet Soene is met with by instant expulsion. The difference, however, is, .that tho, managers in England, South Africa, and America have the assistance; of tho police in keoping order in the gallery :by • the hiring of : constables for 'special duty' at a cost of about fis.' per night per man. Iu Auckland an application for a constable for 'special, duty', meets with a refusal.; I personally. telephoned, to - -, tho police station one afternoon last week for a constable-for "special duty" in tho gallery. My application-was refused. Artists of roputo havo commanded tho respect and intelligence of their audiences in tho leading cities of ; the world,: but they' must come to Auckland, (under, the direction of the most reputable management in Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand) 'with tho best successes, that London can offor, give their best work and respect t«> tho audiences, to bo basely insulted. Tho same insult and want of respect are heaped on the attentive audience, whose 'evening's. entertainment is objectionably marred. I would suggest that those rogular, theatregoers who iippre.ciate. tlio bettor side; of., human nature and its finer feelings' should join with the management in, making some representation to tho ..highest authority for the necessary police assistance in combating this existing evil. Another throe bottlos "thrown from, the galleries of tho Auckland theatres would most probably rosult in three deaths. Then perhaps something might be done." '