... Audition wasted time and money The open audition for Hollyoaks, held at the Channel 4 building on Saturday, April 15, attracted an estimated 20,000 young hopefuls (April 20, News, page 3). All these youngsters made their way to the centre of London at their own expense. Most, I sus pect, could ill afford it. This was just so that, after queuing for more than three hours in the rain and ...

... Scripts would make us happy I live in a retirement complex in Margate, South Africa. Among the activities in the village we a have play reading group of ten women, and we also perform when asked for the people in the village. But we are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain one act plays, sketches and monologues of the period 1930 to 1950, hence I am appealing for anyone who could give ...

... Snack on this suggestion Kelvin J Allen's article (Backstage. August 31, page 2 1 makes the very constructive point that the Really Useful Group should be retained as a production company, leaving the historic name of Stoll Moss for the theatre buildings. His point about eating in theatres also struck home when 1 found crisps for sale at The Witches of Eastwick. Terence Earley Elm Park Gardens ...

... Opera House worth taking a trip for May I express my appreciation of the work done by the States of Jersey, Jersey Arts Trust and everyone else involved in the refurbishment of the Opera House, St Helier (Leader feature, July 27, page 8). In 1996 during my last visit to the island, a visit to the Opera House was like entering a black hole. It was difficult to find your seat in the dark, dingy ...

... Farce of the theatre of exclusion What's the story? (News, August 31, Front page). I have always believed that a great piece of art is influenced by a story. In 1985 the West Midlands regional arts board published the Asian, African and Carib bean Arts Strategy. Today, we have West Midlands Arts' support for African, Caribbean and Asian arts. The regional arts board no longer has a strategy ...

... Oh is anybody out there? 1 am researching the subject of theatre ghosts and should be glad to hear from anyone who has seen a ghost in a theatre, either through working in the building, or even as an audience member. No matter what you may have witnessed, please write tome. Andrea Yarnell Dakin 58 Strand Crescent Holywell Flintshire CH8 7PE ...

... Very poor show In response to an appeal by TAPS and the Screenwriters' Workshop, I should like to add my voice to the protest against the imminent closure of the Television Arts Performance Showcase. This country is already woefully lacking in resources and opportunities for writers and directors in the medium of television and film, a shortage which is reflected in some of the facile and ...

... Start talking sense about accents When can we begin to have a sensible discussion about current trends in speech and voice use without equating poor speech with regional difference, accent and class? The charge of snobbery can be equally well be made against the trendy media as it can against those ringing their hands about the fashionable mutilation of received pro nunciation (April 6. ...

... Pinter has no cause for celebration It was with great disappointment that I read your report on Harold Pinter (April 13. News, page 2). containing his comments upon new British playwrights and the state of the world. Here is a man who once had a great deal to say about a humanity which lived in fear, loathing and mystery, yet I always believed that his pointing out this state of ...

... Missed the Day Doris Day celebrated her 78th birthday on April 3 and I scanned the Radio Times, hoping to find a programme dedicated to her work, or at least one of her films. But there was no mention of her at all. And I wonder if the BBC has plans to dedicate a pro gramme to my ultra-favourite singer, the incomparable Peggy Lee. who will be 80 on May 26. I do not think I should hold my ...

... Please save us from this workshop hell Whatever happened to the single voice playwright? Are they not to be trusted anymore? There are people in this country who can write a play all on their own without the aid of a workshop. The most a new play wright can hope for now is a rehearsed reading, script in hand or a workshop. A play is not a play until the scripts go down and the actors inhabit ...

... Rolling back the theatrical years Although I am not a thespian. for many years I have been interested in all aspects of theatre history. From ancient Greece to today, the theatre has evolved in a most fascinating way. 1 have studied the origins of different parts of the theatre and how they came into existence. I am also interested in sayings that have their origins in the theatre, such as in ...