... . THE ROLL OF THE DRUM. Sib, I see Mossrs. Morell and Mouillot intend touring a drama by Joseph Hatton bearing the aDovo title. As far back as July, 1898, I produced a sketch entitled The Roll of the Drum at the Washington Music Hall, and it was afterwards fully licensed as a stage play for the Royal, Woolwich, March 5th, 1894. I am quite awaro thero is an old free-acting dnuni^wilh MUM ...

... FRESH PANTOMIMES WANTED. SIR,--Of the numerous letters in THE STAGE on the subject of the production of pantomimes in the past, one of your correspondents made a great error in stating that the transformation scene used to come in as a finale to the piece and did not take place at the end of the Opening as now. A transformation scene was never dreamed of nor waa there ever such a scone ...

... ENLARGING THE SUPPLY. Sill, I read with great interest the leader of to-day's date, and also tho lottor of tho author of The Klondike Rush on tho same subject. I have written and produced several plays, but in common with many other unknown actor-authors 1 would never send any play to be read, even after it is copy righted. The only time I did so my play was re written and producod with ...

... THE LEAP FOR LIFE. Sin,-- The situation which your critio baa pointed out as scarcely safo or desirable was the result of a slight accident on tho first performance of the above play, and must not be laid at tho author's door. The episode, which is only a minor inci dent in the act, is that the heroine ex tinguishes a fuse before it reaches some gun* powder. Through standing too near an ...

... Sir,-- I was pleased to see the paragraphs re this. You may rely upon me to do my ut most to help such a scheme. It is wanted badly, and good solid men to back it-- men of experience, men who will stick together. My 13 years as a touring manager may be some guarantee of experience, and that ex perience may be of some use. When the time comes I shall be willing and ready to help all I can. ...

... Sir, In last week's Stage you mention that a Touring Managers' Association is the want of the hour. It is indeed time that manager, and will be until an association Wo have heard a lot of tho boguB travelling manager, but it is time that .something was brought to light of the bogus resident manager, of whom there aro 44 a good few at the present timo. Many of your readers will know that it is ...

... . Sir,-- -Many years ago I wrote and produced in London a drama called A Dark Sccrct, in one scene. A lar^e real water tank was used to ropresont the river Thames, into which the villain threw one of the ladies, and the hero dived in to save her, both being eventually rescued by a real steam launch. Up to that time nothing of the kind had ever been prosented on the £tago with real water. In ...

... SIR,--Your leader on the above sub ject is, as usual, very apt, and while agreeing with most of the views therein expressed 1 do submit, with all deference, that a teaching system already in existence is, if not thoroughly ignored by the profession strangely neglected. That there is generally a lack of good speaking on the London and provincial stage no one can for a moment justly deny, and ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. SIR,-- As one who, though engaged in a humble position, has been earning a living on the music-hall stage, or, as it is more properly called, the Variety stage, for many years, I think you will agree that I should know something of my subject. This being so, I feel sure that you will give me a little room for a few remarks about the profession by which I gain ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sm, I beg to enclose you cheque, value £4 10a., subscribed by the members of Mr. Lester Collingwood's When London Sleeps Co., in aid of the unfortunate artists who lost their wardrobe in the fire at Hartos, Manchester. I am. vours faithfully. WALTER E. BARRETT, Acting-Man ager, When London Sleeps. afan^ Ccw, per Eric Hudson 0 10 6 ...

... A CORRECTION. Sm, In your very kind notice of my pan tomime, Aladdin in hut week's STAGE, speaking of the Regent, Salford, the number who paid admission on the Saturday was put as one thousand one hundred whereas it should have been seven thousand one hundred. Yours truly. W. SLEY. 13, Peter Street, Manchester. ...

... MISS MAUDE STAFFORD. Sir, My attention has only just been called to a notice in your last issue of the Prince of Wales's, Birmingham, wherein I am stated to have been somewhat stiff in boy's clothes. I am not appearing in Birming ham, nor, indeed, have I ever appeared there in any other capacity than that of principal boy in pantomime and burlesque. I have never played a subordinate part ...