Actors rapped for lighting up on stage

Members of the cast even puffed on cigars at the end of their production of Abigail's Party at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn.

Several smokers in the audience complained to management, with one man insisting the incidents had ruined the play.

Since the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, actors are allowed to light up on stage if it is found to be "crucial to the artistic integrity" of the show, following a risk assessment.

But environmental health bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council criticised the theatre after revealing they had not been asked to carry out an assessment.

The mistake was put down to an "oversight" and the council said no formal action would be taken against the theatre, even though it could have been hit with a £2,500 fine.

The show was put on by Blackburn Drama Club and secretary Eric Nolan said members of the group had completed their own risk assessment and didn't feel theyneeded to contact the council.

But the theatre manager said that, after receiving "a number of complaints", prior warning would be given in future about performances which include smoking.

Abigail's Party is set in the 1970s when smoking was more prevalent and tells the story of a middle-class house party.

Earlier this year Rolling Stones guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood were in hot water for smoking on stage at the O2 Arena in London.

But actors in the West End of London have been allowed to smoke on stage in plays such as the new production of Grease is the Word at Piccadilly Theatre.

Thwaites empire Theatre audience member Fred Elliot, 67, from Blackburn, said the smoking "ruined a good play."

He said: "The public should have been informed that smoking was taking place onstage. There was even the ridiculous situation where during the interval people were asked to go outside to smoke."

Amanda Sandford, from campaign group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said theatres should make clear when there would be smoking in a play.

She said: "With smoke-free public environments now beginning to be the norm people don't expect to encounter smoke at theatres, especially those with asthma."

The law states that prior consent of the local environmental health department is not essential, but is recommended to avoid any risk of prosecution.

Frank Mallon of Blackburn with Darwen Council's environmental health department, said: "This was an oversight and we won't be taking any formal action."

Harriet Roberts, the theatre manager, said she had received a number of complaints but said: "The group had taken expert advise from NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) and I trust them on the legalities of the situation.

"In future we will aim to fully inform audiences if there is any smoking on stage."

The production of Abigail's Party, which ran from Wednesday to Saturday, featured a number of scenes where up to five actors were smoking.

Mr Nolan said: "We have been advised that smoking is permissible if it is part of the play and vital to the story.

"We consulted with NODA and completed our own risk assessment.

"The law is pretty clear and we are happy that we have done nothing wrong.

"We didn't consult with the council because we didn't need to."

Jacqueline Hartley-Barnes from CJ's Cafe in Market Street, Darwen, fell foul of non-smoking laws earlier this year.

She was threatened with prosecution after allowing staff to smoke in the cafe, even though the premises was shut.

She said: "For people to complain about this incident is amazing."

Simon Clarke, from pro-smoking group Forest, said the issue was "pathetic" and said the complaints stemmed from the new age of hysteria and hype surrounding smoking.

NODA chief executive Tony Gibbs said: "I would suggest the safe thing to do is to contact the local authority but there is no compulsion to do so."

Blackburn Drama Group's next production at the theatre, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, will feature smoking and takes to the stage on December 5.