THE SUNDAY THEATRE

Shannon News, 24 July 1928, Page 4

THE SUNDAY THEATRE

IS IT WANTED?

LONDON STAGE FOLK’S DIVIDED VIEWS.

Should the West End theatres bo allowed 1.0 open on Sundays?, Sir Gerald Bu, Maurier thinks they should. Speaking in London, he says; “It is scandalous that we in our profession' —a very poor, hard-working proLi'Sion —should not be’allowed to, open our theatres on a Sunday, ns they do in France, and as the cinemas are al--1 - wed to do 1 ere. ’■ Under the existing regulations (writes an “Evening News’’ correspondent) many plays are produced on Sunday nights at West End theatres by various societies and clubs, but they are not permitted to take money at the box office, in the ordinary way. “The present arrangement, which sanctions the opening of picture house;, but keeps the theatres closed, on Sundays is most unfair,” said Sir Gerald dn Maurier. . ‘ . “Why 7” • “ Why should the theatres not open? What harm would it do? “I do not propose that actors and actresses, as well as theatre staffs should work seven days a week, but v.hy should managers, if they so desire it, not be able to open on Sundays and close on some other day? “If our theatres were open you would’ not have people walking about the streets looking miserable. ‘ * Why, for that matter, should not ,Mr Self ridge not be allowed to open his store oh Sunday provided he gives his staff a day off later in the week? , “Is there anything more dreadfully depressing or dreary than a Sunday in England? “And nowadays, it‘s no good trying to go out of town. , There’s a que of to go out of town. There’s a queue of Berwick. “Let's forget cant and hypocrisy and open our theatres and shops on Sunday night and be cheerful. ” But not everyone in London’s stage world agrees with Sir Gerald. Here are some opinions given to ‘ The Evening News’:— 7 Tho Ayes.\ Mr Herbert Clayton of Clayton and Waller, the theatrical managers:— ,1 agree entirely with Sir Gerald and, what is more, I do not sec why we should not play seven days a week. I do not think actors and actresses would mind doing so. Sunday opening would give much needed asissiance to the theatre at the present time of high rents and running cost. It would lengthen rite run of p-.ays and so benefit the companies. Unless someth’ng like this is done auists must face a, cut in salaries—it least during the four summer months Mr Leslie Henson, the comedian: — A few months ago I raised this question, but my idea was misquoted. Sir Gerald was the first to smasn my suggestion by saying that, he would never perform seven nights a week. Seven nights a week was never my iuea. I proposed that theatres should bo allowed to open anj six nights .if the week they saw fit. Miss Glga Lind.), the aclrt-ss:—Tli -rc is no reason why we sin” I not b > allowed to open theatres, on Sundays. It is an ideal day and feople would'want to go. But one day off a week wouldbe necessary. Miss Phyllis Dave, the musical comedy star:—lf managers think they will do better business on Sunday nights than on Mondays I personally would have no objection to playing. If all the theatres opened on Sundays it is doubtful if there would be a sufficiently large public to go round, but certain theatres with certain types of play might do well.

• The Noes. Sir Alfred Butt, M.P., the theatrical manager:—l am utterly opposed to the killjoys and those who maintain that what is right-on week days is wrong on Sunday. All the same, lam utterly opposed to to theatres being opened on Sunday for the simple reason that six days a week is quite enough for employer and employed in any business or profession. I know the answer is that theatres could be closed on one of the week days This, I think, would bring about a chaotic state of affairs, and in the end theatres would be forced to open seven days a week as they are in some Continental countries.

Mr Tom Walls, the actor-manager:— It would take dynamite or a heavy gam to bknv mo on to a London stage on Sundays.

I have no scruples about playing on Sunday, for the old convention of observing the Sabbat h has gone, but I insist that I myself and anyone who works for me shall have one day of rest and leisure each week.

Sunday opening would the the thin edge of the wedge for a seven-day week.

Miss Evelyn Layer—l am very oldfashioned and I like Sunday to myself. I am opposed to opening theatres on that day. It would make life terribly material, and surely, when they have all the week to go to .the play, the public do not want to go on Sundays as well?

Miss Tallulah Bankhead: —Theatres should be closed on Sundays. If they were opened it would ruin people 's week-ends.