A DRAMA group has decided to stub out plans for actors to smoke onstage for its new play which opened last night.
The Oswaldtwistle Players' production of Sailor Beware, at the town's Civic Theatre, will not include smoking after the group decided to make a joke of the situation instead.
A production of Abigail's Party at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, drew criticism after five cast members smoked on stage at the weekend.
An exemption in the new smoking laws means lighting up inside is allowed if it is "crucial to artistic integrity", after a risk assessment.
Clare Highton, from Oswaldtwistle Players, said: "Smoking is integral to our play but we decided that it would not be appropriate.
"Instead we are going to tackle the issue of smoking in a comic way. It is a funny play so we are hoping to use this opportunity to play on the issue of smoking indoors to our advantage."
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