The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-03
LONDON NJ USfC HALLS
New Restrictions Upon Them as TO Serving
Drinks in the Audience-Room.

Drinks In The Audtence-Room.
London is much agttated over its "mu-
slc-hall question" says the New York
Journal.
The county council" by which body
London is governed declined TO renew
the license for the largest music hall In
the world, unless under the restrictions q"
that there should be no promenade" and
no intoxicating liquors should be sold
within the auditorium
AS this establishment employs several
thousand persons and receives a great
many thouands as patrons in the course
OF an evening, great was the disturbance
caused by this decision.
The suppression Of the promenade was
especially unpopular. The promenade.
as 1t has been known in London music
halls for many years. is an open space
at the back Of the audience hall. either
on the ground floor. or higher up, where
the fair "AnOnymas" are allowed to come
and where conversation is carried on
| quite audibly.
Mr.. John Burns said at the meeting
| of the county council on the matter of
| the promenade's suppression that il there
/ was one thing more Objectionable at a
! music hall than a promenade filed with
| its book-makers, boxing men and other OBJ
| JectiOnabe characters, il was the con-
WGnf
on in the auditorium, and for this reason
he was against both these institutions.
The noisy promenade at the back made
1t impossible to attend properly to what
was going forward on the stage while
the incessant importantly with which one
was worried 10 take drinks was no less
sickening. Mr.. Burns waxed wroth over
letter which he had received from
gentleman whom he described, amid
roars OF laughter as an Austrian count
with a German accent, who looked very
much like an Italian. This gentleman
IL appeared, had dwelt on the unfairness
of the treatment accorded 10 the Palace
Theatre, and had even limited that some
or the members might not be entirely
uSintereSted-a suggestion which Mr.
Burns repealed with Unreasonable scorn.
The present music-hall, he said. con-
GLIDING a rafting speech, punctuated
throughout with cheers and laughter, was
cross between public house and some
thing worse.
Sir Augustus is doomed TO suppress his
promenade. the book maker will have TO
take his seat and let his racing business
wait until he goes into the lobby of the
! Palace Theltre. And as for the fair
Anonyma, her nose is very much out
| of joint.
But she can still be received at the
| promenade OF the Alhambra and the EN-
| pire. and this is thought unfair. The
| county council shakes its head and de-
| clines 20 be involved in any retrospective
| legislation.
1t means to restrict any new music
halls. but 10 let the old ones 20 on in
the old noisy way. The "promenades"
would hardly be tolerated anywhere ex-
cept in London and Paris and when the
Nouveau Cirque was started in the lat
ter city there was much comment be-
cause ladies could not 80 into the prom
enade without the risk Of meeting I'M
desirable company there. The Alhambra
and the Empire obtained their licenses
before the county council assumed city
| Jurisdiction.
| The public seems TO share John Burns
| outspoken opinion that the roughs and
"rowdy- dowdy boys" getting drunk I'm
| the auditorium prevented the people who
went 10 music halls from getting the en-
| Joyment they paid for
How" he said, "can you hear the terror
when he reaches that part Of the song
| where in a subdued voice he asks What
Harriet. don't you love me now?' when
book makers are roaring behind you?"
The suppression of the privilege OF serv-
ing drinks in the auditorium will IL IS
thought, render the future success of
any theatre 50 large as the Palace very
doubtful.