The action of the Municipal Council in closing the Lyceum Theatre appears to have taken the committee of the A.D.C. entirely by surprise, and a meeting is being hurriedly arranged to consider the situation. Efforts will be made to induce the Council fo grant the necessary permit for the B.W.A. performance of "The Purse Strings" announced for next week. Now that so much work has been pet in on preparation for this event, postponement-at the eleventh-hour would be particularly unfortunate for the Association. Apart from this, we understand there have been no definite bookings for the immediate future. In regard to one of the matters insisted on by the Council, it may be noted that an inquiry has already been cabled to London with a view to the purchase of a fire proof curtain for the theatre.
Seen by a representative of the, "North-China Daily News" on Friday last, Mr. E. S. Wilkinson made the following statement:
"I feel it incumbent upon me to make a statement to the public in genera) and to members of the B.W.A: in particular, with regard to the sudden closing of the Lyceam Theatre. I must state that I sin acting as secretary both to the Lyceum Theatre trustees and the A.D.C., being both trustee and a member of: the A.D.C. committee, but I wish it to be clearly understood that I make this statement in my own private capacity and without any sanction or authority from either of these bodies.
"The history of the Lyceum Theatre in its relations with the Council may be summarized as follows:
"1880 to 1907: Licences regularly issued and no serious complaints. No accidents.
"1907: The main wall damaged by earthquake and theatre closed for repairs. "Wall repaired and additional staircases, etc., installed, in accordance with S.M.C. requirements.
"1907 to 1921: No accidents or complaints. One or more applications made for permission to exhibit cinema films, but these refused owing to danger of fire.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.