FIZZING AT THE LUNG
EXCLUSIVE: PC GOES MAD AT THE THEATRE
IT’S a first-world problem even Shakespeare couldn’t imagine – to smoke, or not to smoke, on the stage?
It’s the question audiences have been discussing at Gold Coast Little Theatre in Southport.
The community theatre group is entering the final week of its well-received season of Crown Matrimonial, writer Royce Ryton’s insightful, timely drama about events surrounding the abdication of King Edward VIII in the 1930s.
Directed by Kate Peters, the play has been deftly realised by a wonderful local cast led by acclaimed actress Del Halpin as Queen Mary and Chris Catherwood as King Edward VIII. The storyline documents a family in crisis as Edward VIII renounces the throne to marry Wallis Simpson.
As history buffs and fans of The Crown and The King’s Speech well know, most members of the British royal family were more than just fond of a cigarette or 10 – they were certified chain smokers.
“Historically speaking, everyone in the play should have been smoking,” Mrs Peters said. “It’s 1936 – everybody smoked. The original script has them smoking their heads off. The two cigarettes are part of the script — they’re there to show the Queen and King smoke. The King takes three puffs and the Queen takes three puffs and they put them out.”
Mrs Peters said signs in the foyer advised patrons at Crown Matrimonial “that both tobacco and herbal cigarettes are used onstage during this production”.
Two scenes see Queen Mary and her son light up and take a few puffs, one on a herbal cigarette (and no, it’s not that kind of herb), the other on a rollie containing tobacco.
While the smoking has raised eyebrows and caused a cacophony of polite coughing to break out during performances, Mrs Peters said people needed to lighten (no, not light) up. “It’s not a play for children. No one’s advocating smoking. It didn’t even cross my mind that people might object.
“Political correctness has gone berserk. You have to interpret the play as it is written. There are three signs (warning) audiences that herbal cigarettes were being used. It’s incumbent upon people to put up with it or not put up with it. It’s not illegal.”
Crown Matrimonial plays Thursday to Saturday at 8pm.