smoking

I recently put a play on called 'Death of a Murderer' at the Blue Room. The play revolved around the death of Moors murderer Myra Hindley who was a renowned chain smoker. In fact it was due to that smoking that she eventually died of lung related diseases. The actor playing Myra (Helen Angell) was aware, when she accepted the role, that the part involved smoking and, even though she didn't smoke, she was in fact an ex smoker. She was supplied with the mildest possible cigarettes and puffed away happily on stage. We put signs in the foyer and at the door to the theatre and the audience was told before the show not to sit in the front row if they felt the smoke would effect them. I guess what I'm trying to say is if the situation is well managed, if everyone is well informed ie don't tell an actor after they've got the role that they'll have to smoke, and the venue is well ventilated, I don't see a problem including smoking on stage, if it is called for. We had no complaints and the Blue Room is a small intimate venue. When I'm performing magic on stage I often do a vanishing lit cigarette trick which would be nothing without the lit cigarette.