Lieut.-Colonel A. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of having a gala performance at the Opera as well as in the music halls for the Peace celebrations?
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§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt was intended to include, in the celebrations provisionally fixed for the first week in August next, gala performances at the principal opera house and theatres in London. As my hon. Friend is aware, from replies given by myself in this House, the Government subsequently decided to advance the date and to hold the celebrations on the 19th instant, as much of the original programme as possible being compressed into that one day. I understand that it is proposed to suspend all vehicular traffic in the streets along the processional route, and, as far as the western boundary of the City, after 8 p.m. on Saturday, which precludes the possibility of having a successful gala performance, and the idea has consequently been abandoned. No official gala performances are being held at the theatres or music halls on the night of the celebrations. My hon. Friend probably has in mind a special performance at the Coliseum Theatre on the 28th instant, which His Majesty has commanded, in order to show his appreciation of the generous manner in which artistes of the music-hall stage have assisted funds connected with the War.