Goverment reconsiders smoking on stage

[j_pilborough]

The goverment has announced recently that it may grant an exception to the smoking ban in theatres if smoking is 'integral to the plot'.

Can't you get 'fake cigarettes' or something, thus avoiding exposing the audience to passive smoking?

[paulears]

Have you ever seen a fake cigarette smoke - the LD may have spent ageson a critical plot point that needs a carefully crafted beam to pick up the smoke?

 

Most people would rather use a fake fag anyway - unless lighting and smoking are really vital. Planty of actors who don't smoke have to for theatre, film and TV - they wouldn't do it unless it was vital.

[bruce]

Suspension of belief...

 

If someone is "murdered" on stage, do they really kill an actor, or is there some trickery? In a sex scene, do they really...???

 

Of course not. So, in principle, why is this any different?

 

[/devil's advocate]

[Cougar]

Mentioned this in the vote on smoking thread but it fits here as well so the BBC Article on this.

[WiLL]

I was wondering if this would include the old 'honeydew' cigareetes which contain no nicotine? They smell like crap and apparently taste bad too, but I've used them before when the director insisted non-smoking cast members smoke on stage. See? fake ciggies WITH smoke!