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SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES

SMOKING IN MELBOURNE’S THEATRES
By the CATHS Research Group *

hen Three pillars of an ordered society were smoking in its public venues, and was prepared
Wt h e incorporated in 1890-91: The Department of to fight any ban.
Melbourne Public Health, The Metropolitan Fire Brigade
City Council and the Melbourne Board of Works. Health and “St. Kilda pioneered open-air pictures and
was incorporated the MFB began enforcing regulations for fire smoking became a recognised practice. In due
in 1842, Victoria was safety in theatres, determined that Melbourne course paying homage to My Lady Nicotine
still a colony of NSW. should avoid the horrors caused by some was extended to roofed entertainment venues.
The MCC faced a historic fires. And the press was happy to There was one special thing about St. Kilda’s
daunting task: create a remind them: in 1772 in Amsterdam - 800 picture theatres. You could either have a smoke
liveable city. Roads, housing deaths, and the same year in Saragossa Spain - or a sleep. Many people came from other
regulations, water supply, 1,000 deaths. (6) suburbs, so that they could at the same time
sanitation and law-and-order were priorities. In have a pull at that grand old institution the pipe
this mountain of work the control of theatres Smoking wasn’t the cause of those tragedies, of peace. Apart from its soothing effect,
was a minor function , which meant that and the history of theatre disasters showed that smoking was a good disinfectant. The St. Kilda
(1)
theatre managers could make their own rules. panic was more to be feared than fire. Improved council fight against the Health Commission is
In the Pavilion, the city’s first theatre, smoking designs, a safety curtain, water hydrants near going to be vigorous. Gentlemen, you may
was at times so heavy that “…the theatre was the stage, wide aisles with no obstructions smoke!” (9)
(2)
turned into a smoking salon” . In 1856, the leading to clearly-lit exits - became a pre-
manager of the Theatre Royal in Bourke Street occupation. If a fire-
banned smoking in the promenade of the safety lesson for
theatre. Presumably he had already banned Melbourne was needed,
smoking in the auditorium. the loss of the Olympic
in 1866, the Haymarket
Smoking or no-smoking in those early years in 1871 and the Bijou in
seems to have been discretionary, depending 1889 made the point.
on whether the show was “cultured” or “low-
brow”. Smoking was banned in any Broken Hill had always
performance by a celebrity singer or an opera allowed smoking in
company, because “…tobacco smoke is death theatres. In 1910, some
(3)
to vocal success” . Also, “Amongst idiot flicked a lighted
fashionable audiences, black pipes and cigars match through the
no longer fumigated theatres. The pit became projection port at the
respectable, the gallery decorous, and the dress Theatre Royal and
circle presented an appearance that would pass 2,000 feet of film
muster for grace, beauty and attire in any Old ignited. There was no
(4)
World Metropolis” . loss of life, but some
staff received severe
On the other hand, in recalling one Annie burns in their efforts to
Oakley-style entertainment, when Colonel Ike extinguish the flames. (7)
Austin shot an apple off the head of a
Prof. Cunard, and then extinguished the From letters of Image: Frank Van Straten collection.
professor’s cigar with another bullet, one paper complaint, we know that
opined, “The kind of entertainment that would smoking was permitted in at least some Mr Herman Phillips, co-director of the Palais
have appealed to the unbridled artistic Melbourne theatres from 1914 to 1918. One Pictures, weighed in: “The average man was
temperament of the gold seekers of Roaring patron in a “southern picture theatre” wrote: not keen on seeing pictures. He went to the
Camp or New Chum Gully” . Gun-smoke and “In front of me was dropped part of a lighted picture theatre only to be with his family, to
(5)
(8)
cigar smoke surely went hand-in- hand at this cigarette, close to a piece of paper” . A smoke and to hear the music.” (10)
show. cigarette in full flame burns at a temperature of
about 900 °C. Even a smouldering butt at half John Fuller, back in Melbourne after an
How some independent theatres announced the that temperature would be sufficient to set overseas trip, claimed that smoking was again
ban. Image: Ross King collection alight splintery popularising (live) theatre in England and
floors, carpets, seat America. Smoking was now to be allowed in
covers, and the Fuller’s theatres. “Women smokers are pleased
contents of waste to note that the privilege is extended to them”.
paper bins. His idea was praised as an “innovation”. (11)

In 1927 the Health Despite the efforts of the pro-smoking lobby,
Commission issued new anti-smoking regulations were publicised
a draft set of in June 1928. The Chairman of the Health
regulations aimed at Commission admitted to problems in framing
curbing smoking in the regulations, and the likelihood of even more
theatres. Sensing the trouble in enforcing them, especially in country
opposition to come, towns.
it asked for public
comment. They got The summary as reported in the press offered
it in spades. sensible suggestions and also compromise.
“The regulations apply to theatres and picture
St. Kilda council theatres. There are to be no naked lights in
had always allowed auditoria, storerooms or dressing rooms. A ban

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