Hazers and Actors

Not wishing to discount the small group of people who genuinely have an allergy or bad reaction to the stuff but.... ...on the other hand. Picture this, Covent Garden, the opera house. Opera singers are the touchiest people in regard to anything that might affect their voices. On the whole I'd say rightly so ... their voice is their livelihood. I've known some to cheerfully stride onto stage and actively inhale the haze. Some smoke as well(like chimneys!). Others kick up a fuss during the tech rehearsals and then take whatever remedy they need to get themselves sorted. They recognise the benefit of a touch of haze in the atmosphere, and, literally, suck it up! You can get some really nice smelling fluids too, nicest I ever came across was "fresh cut grass". Mmmmmmm, very evocative. There will always be split medical opinion too, just like with strobes. Some say strobe lighting will set off epileptic fits in those who are prone to them, but most research so far indicates that the strobe has to be a certain frequency to trigger most fits, it also indicates that it is also a matter of perception. Tell a person that a strobe effect will trigger a fit and ... some people will have one, regardless of the strobe frequency. Personally I say stick to your guns, keep the haze. There are some right "diva's" out there who are reacting to voodoo science. We shouldn't ignore the percentage who are genuinely affected, including those who may be temporarily under the weather already and more prone to extra irritations, but most performers and technicians have no problems whatsoever. Rapunzel "Life is too short to stuff a mushroom"