Smoking Bans and the Death of Theater

Whoa boy! This story rocks.

Turns out many of the smoking bans going into effect around the world actually ban smoking on stage. That is, you can't smoke, even if you are portraying a smoker in a theatrical production. Imagine Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf without ciggies.

Or imagine Keith Richards playing without a cigarette. He recently flouted a ban and smoked illegally on stage. Local officials agreed to overlook the transgression. But why?

It seems that in NYC, you can apply for a waiver for your production. But again, why? Why should stage-hands be forced to "flirt with death"? As we all know, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke. What about theater-goers? Perhaps artists need to stop kissing the feet of Big Tobacco?

Here it comes, man. Here it comes. Think about how uppity people get when some municipal government bans Hair because of nudity. Now extrapolate that out to all the productions that will have to be banned because of concerns about "public health." If by public health you incorporate smoking, drugs and all the other things now being lumped in by the health nannies.

Here's a question: If obesity kills, which it surely does, should it be illegal for an actor to gain weight to play a part?

And if I recall, isn't workplace smoking illegal in California? Well, isn't a movie set a workplace?

Why not? Fair's fair.

Sweet.

Comments

[Mark Rauterkus]

I had the same thoughts -- and wonders.

We went to see the stage production of "A Night at the Sands" with The Rat Pack. Frank S, Dean M, and Sammy Davis Jr. The first two, just as they did on stage then -- were drinking and SMOKING all night.

Great, great show.

Does that show NOT get to play Pittsburgh in the future?

How come books can get off scott free? Smoking is very dangerous and chidren could accidently read about smokers.

[djhlights]

The bigger deterrent for the past several years to smoking on stage was the requirement of a firemarshall at the performance for open flame.

Us stagehands (it’s one word by the way) blamed the bureaucrat panic after the Great White fire in RI.

That's why Tom Atkins never actually smokes a cigar during the Chief at the Public.

The new firemarshall is much more reasonable and allows it without the need for adult supervision.

This is nothing new though. Italy has had bans of any flame, even a candle, in certain theaters houses after the La Scala fire in the 90's.

[sean mcdaniel]

a couple nights ago, mike wallace was on the colbert report. he talked about what a terrific prop cigarettes were on the early days of TV newscasts, especially during interviews. cheap too.