... Programme notes May I take advantage of the interest generated by the story headed 'RUG programmes will go in-house', (News, August 10, Front page) and make an appeal to all the publishers of theatre programmes. Like many members of the audience, I keep programmes of the shows I have seen (well over 3,000 in 45 years) to stimulate happy memories and provide a ready reference library. Again, ...

... Thankful as Fringe's spirit is freed at last John Cargill Thompson talks a lot of sense (Edinburgh Festival preview, August 3, page V). However, I think the commercialism of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has done artists a favour: it has released us from the shackles of finding £5.000-ptus to present ourselves to the world's media (alongside TV personalities with profes sional PR muscle). ...

... Stage frights How much do I want to see a stage adaptation of a successful American film when I could see it on video? The West End seems to be plagued with them this year. Baby Doll was followed by The Graduate, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest landed briefly at the Barbican (admittedly in its original play form) and The Witches of Eastwick have flown in as a musical. I see that we are now to ...

... Windmill play needs your assistance to come to life I am currently researching for a new play on the old Windmill Theatre in Piccadilly, and looking for information on performers during the period 1945 to 1949. I should like to hear any stories and anecdotes people may have of this era. I am also trying to get hold of the book We Never Closed, by Van Damm. If you have any more information ...

... A Shaw-fire hit with youngsters John Abineri's view of the National Theatre's mobile production of George Bernard Shaw's Widowers' Houses (February 24, Letters, page 9) represents only one side of the lively discussion stimulated by Fiona Shaw's production. This kind of invigorating and challenging work is designed to introduce young audiences to plays which they might otherwise find opaque, ...

... Magic of Mills I am trying to find out more about the life and sudden death of Florence Mills, who was born in Washington DC in 1 895 and died in November 1927, aged 32. A highly talented singer and dancer, much admired by Duke Ellington, she starred in shows including Blackbirds of 1926. My mother, a songwriter, once met Mills in London and wrote a song for her, which she was intending to use ...

... Look no further for Novello info I write in reference to the request madr regarding the existence of an Ivor Novello society (Heydays Letters, May 1 1 page 1 1 We have for many years operated the Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau on a voluntary basis, and have become the focus group for fans from all over the world. Our aim is to keep alive the work, music and memory of Novello by holding ...

... Howard's way I am a film historian who has been writing about classic motion pictures for many years. I am currently researching a book on Leslie Howard, one of Britain's greatest actors and most popular leading men. Since he has been dead for such a long time since 1 943 my task of finding people who worked with him is very difficult. If anyone has any information or an anecdote to share, it ...

... Harvey picks I am currently researching a biography of Scottish rock star Alex Harvey, and need to track down fellow musicians, promoters, agents or man agers who knew him during his time in the musical Hair or while he was with his Soul Band or the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Anyone with photos, anecdotes or memories of Alex can contact me by phone on 0131 5534448 or at the address below. ...

... Battle for TV variety is definitely being won Sorry to disappoint Setch Andersonn (Letters, May 25, page 7) but I have no intention of ending the campaign to get entertainers on television-especially now we are winning it. Channel 5's The Big Stage proved that a New Variety show could be fresh and exciting, even on a shoestring budget. I hope Jim Davidson Presents will make an even bigger ...

... Missed chance for theatre boost Now that the Millennium Dome has received the extra money it requested, that brings the total subsidy to £539 million. To generate the same amount in VAT revenue, the box office turnover would have had to have been more than £3.5 billion. Imagine the effect on theatre nationally if, instead of the Dome, VAT exemption for theatre had been created to celebrate the ...

... Bring distant family Toomey I am researching my family history and should be very grateful if anyone could help. I should like to find some one who could put me in touch with a family member of the late actor Regis Toomey, who died in Los Angeles in 1991. He appeared in many films, including The Big Sleep with Humphrey Bogart, and also TV series like Dante's Inferno and Burke's Law. We share ...