‘I don’t want smoke wafting over me’: Theatregoer slams London play about tobacco advertising for using herbal cigarettes on stage – but others say ‘it’s integral to the plot’

• Read more:  Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer character has people finally realizing what’s inside prop cigarettes after he admitted to smoking nearly 3,000 in Peaky Blinders

The use of herbal cigarettes on stage has left theatregoers at one London venue divided, with many saying they don’t want any kind of smoke wafting over them while watching a performance – but others say if smoking is integral to the plot, they should be used.

One playgoer complained after seeing a production of Meetings at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond last week, in which herbal cigarettes are used frequently on stage during the two-and-a-half hour performance at the intimate venue in South West London. 

The three-actor period comedy, set in Trinidad, is based on a book written by Mustapha Matura, and explores Caribbean society including ‘identity, belonging and the cost of progress’. The character of Jean, played by Martina Laird, launches a campaign to advertise cigarettes. 

One theatregoer who saw the London production, which has received rave reviews, wrote on social media site Nextdoor: ‘Am I the only one who finds it unpleasant to be smoked over by actors standing a few foot away from me? 

Martina Laird as Jean in the Orange Tree Theatre production of Meetings; one theatregoer said they disliked the frequent use of herbal cigarettes on stage

‘I find it bizarre that they expect the audience to imagine a whole room when there is minimal scenery but think that we can’t imagine someone is smoking unless they have actually lit up.’

Many agreed with the theatregoer, saying they too are put off by seeing a play where smoke billows from the mouths of cast members. 

One wrote: ‘It does seem rather strange that they couldn’t improvise.’

Another added: ‘I have given the theatre a miss in the past 3/4 years for exactly the reason you mention. Moreover, in every play I saw in which the actors smoked it was completely unnecessary for the action, for the plot or for developing an atmosphere.

‘I found myself distracted by it and even more so when the actors did not put out the cigarettes properly and acrid smoke wafted across me for at least 5 minutes on more than 3 occasions. I resent being forced to accept/cope with smoking in such close proximity.’  

Others said that the fact a central character’s job in Meetings focused on starting a cigarette company meant the cigarettes were needed on stage, with one saying: ‘So the fact that the wife was promoting cigarettes that had a key place in the plot was unnecessary? I think it was highly relevant or are we talking about a different play?’

Several who’d attended said they’d had no issue with the smoke, with one writing: ‘I had a seat on the front row. I didn’t have a problem with it at all.’

MailOnline has contacted the Orange Tree Theatre for comment.  

Instead of nicotine and tobacco, herbal cigarettes are made up of a blend of herbs, such as jasmine, ginseng, lotus leaf, and passion flower.

Actor Cillian Murphy estimated he’d smoked around 3,000 cigarettes on the set of Peaky Blinders – and added to that taking on the role of Oppenheimer (Murphy as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders)

While they are thought to have lower health risks, Cancer.org claims that even herbal cigarettes with no tobacco give off tar, particulates, and carbon monoxide, and are dangerous to your health.

Earlier this year, actor Cillian Murphy said he’d rather his next big role didn’t smoke prop cigarettes. Both his Oppenheimer character and his Peaky Blinders character, Tommy Shelby, smoked heavily.

‘I’ve smoked so many fake cigarettes for Peaky and this,’ he told The Guardian.

‘My next character will not be a smoker. They can’t be good for you. Even herbal cigarettes have health warnings now.’

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