A CULTURAL clash has brought Noel Coward into direct conflict with Florida's Clean Indoor Air Act.

The matter could end up in court after a member of the audience at a production of Coward's Private Lives complained that the actors were smoking. Coward wrote precise and lengthy stage instructions on the frequency and style with which cigarettes are consumed by his principal characters, the bored social butterflies Elyot and Amanda.

But the smoking outraged Geraldine Batell. Her second-row seat was only about 15 feet from the stage and during the interval she complained to the management. Surprisingly, she refused an offer of a place further back in the 135-seat auditorium and returned for the second half.

The following day, Miss Batell telephoned the managing director of the American Stage theatre in St Petersburg to re-emphasise her dissatisfaction with the smoking issue. She complained that although she had read the numerous signs in the theatre that warned audience members that they might find certain scenes in the play offensive to their lungs, she had not been told this when she paid $20 (£12) for her ticket.

She refused an offer of a refund. Instead, she filed a complaint with officers of the consumer protection unit of the local authority, Clearwater County, which is now investigating. A spokesman said yesterday that it was still waiting to see if the matter could be resolved amicably, but it was possible that it could go to court.

13 July 1998: [UK News] Dylan fan's court victory over smokers
19 February 1998: Bigger role for cigarettes as more film actors light up
21 November 1996: SNCF sued for 'not enforcing smoking ban'