THEATRE METHODS.

Evening Star, Issue 20133, 25 March 1929, Page 7

THEATRE METHODS.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —In a recent Rmic of the ‘ Regent Review,’ described as “ the ollic■i a I organ of J. (■, Williamson interests in New Zealand,” the following appears:—“Dunedin is rapidly I achieving the unenviable reputation of 1 being a very bad 1 show town.’ . . . I If we want the best in entertainment here (such as the Vanbrngh-Bonci-canlt Company, which is doing such excellent business) we must be prepared to pay for it and to patronise it; otherwise- Dunedin will find itsell shut off from the rest of the show world.” 1 am glad the VnnbrughBoncicaull; Company was mentioned. The opening night of that company’s season in Dunedin gave what is probably a very good_ reason for the indifference of the Dunedin public. The orchestral stalls had been extended by several rows, the middle stalls spread over about three-quarters of what is commonly known as the pit, and I lie back stalls reduced to the smallest possible proportions. Any further reduction would have amounted to extinction. Personally, .1 had the experience ol sitting iii what was probably the worst"seat I have ever occupied in any theatre—and that at the middle stalls prices. Jn the enlarged orchestral stalls close on sixty seats were vacant throughout the performance. \et many people wishing to purchase middle stalls tickets were turned away. If the management calls this 6 good business I must say that I am astounded. If it were to call it a straight deal I should be left perplexed and wondering. But if anyone were to tell me in all seriousness that these tactics are calculated to make patrons anxious to go again you could knock me down with a feather. — 1 am, etc., 80-rEicr. March 23. _