AT THE PICTURES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 323, 7 April 1928, Page 6

AT THE PICTURES

Sir.— On Friday evening at 7.30 r> m I purchased four front stall tickets ’at a picture theatre, price Is fid, only to join the indignant number who had discovered, even earlier, that of the seating capacity seven-eighths had been reserved; and that only a handful of impossible seats on the extreme front wings, notoriously uncomfortable and with the poorest visibility, were available. Fully cognisant of this condition, however, the box office continued to seli front stall tickets, and the number swelled; yet upon remonstrance I was denied a return of the money

Even a willingness to pay extra to obtain seats in the back stalls was useless, as the attendant informed us that space there was sold out. The management, sir, is responsible for every ticket sold. and should not fail to acquaint patrons of “full-house” conditions. This practice nets the management a considerable sum nightly, as the average person, lacking the moral courage to protest, will take the useless seat or pay the higher figure. FAIRPLAY. The management of the theatre tn question admits the facts of the case. It is pointed out, however, by the manager that patrons are always invited to reserve their seats. If this had been done, he said, the present difficultv would never have arisen. The present procedure had been in existence for 11 years and he could not see how these complaints could be avoided unless patrons did as advised and booked their seats. Ed. The Sun.