... . 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 ...

... 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 ...

... SIR,--In reference to the very excellent article on professional amateurs, which appeared in your issue of the 10th inst., will you permit me to call attention to one point, which I think deserves consideration. I allude to Mr. T. E. Pemberton's contention in the Theatre that these would-be actors are just clever enough to give a fair imitation of the original production. Now, Sir, were ...

... THE TIVOLI, PORTSMOUTH. Ssir, You doubtless have heard the story anent the sudden closing of the Tivoli Palace, Portsmouth. My family and myself were engaged to open there on October 7. Wo made a journey of nearly 300 miles to Portsmouth, arriving there on Saturday night. Just try and imagine our surprise when we found, the Tivol closed, it having been open for the unpre cedented period of two ...

... ONE-ACT PLAYS. Sir, I have read with deep interest the various letters in your paper on tho subject of One-act Plays, and would like to say a few words in defence of what your corres pondent terming himself The Great Un* acted is pleased to call managerial indiffer ences. I am a youthful playwright, and think I may say in all truthfulness entirely without influence of auy kind, yet I havo ...

... . ON TOUR. SIR,-- Under the above heading your correspondent S. does indeed write bitterly, and as circumstances we can easily understand preclude his giving details of his own case, it is difficult to decide, I nope he will forgive me for eayingso, whether ho is one of tho vast army of non-energetic habitual grumblers, or one who has really Buffered from that course of systematic petty ...

... LIABILITY OF LESSEES? Sir, Is the resident manager liable for tho salaries of his partner's (the travelling ones) artists P The question, I think, scarcely admits of a doubt. The actors have brought in the money taken at the doors of the theatre without them the local manager's orchostra, scenery, properties, aud gilded auditorium would have been powerless to attract. He has dorived a profit ...

... . SIR,--Knowing your kindly interest in the profession at large you may think my letter worthy of consideration. I send you the journeys I have taken from one engagement to another last year, combined with the week given in each case for rehearsals. They are a considerable item. I could have made several short engagements two or three weeks, but the fares made them impossible, and in no one ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir, I am very pleased to read of THE STAGE'S efforts to secure some better terms from the railway companies for professionals. My brothers and myself are proprietors of no fewer than five, sometimes more, travelling myrioramas. We employ from 200 to 300 peoplo, variety performers, bandsmen, and working staff. At times we find it necessary to transfer the artists ...

... BATTLE THROUGH LIFE. Sir, A letter has boon brought to my notice wherein Messrs. A. W. Parry and Thos. Dobb complain that in the above title or a comedy-drama I havo recently I purchased from Mrs. W. H. Mitcholl, of the Royal, Barnsley, there is a palp^ able imitation of tho title to their drama, viz., Battle of Life, They asscrtf that their play was first produced in' Liverpool in 1894. Now ...

... THE SONG-WRITERS' ASSOCIATION. Sir,-- I bog to inform you that Tho Song- Writers' Association was started last evening at the King's Head, Bear Street, with a roll of nearly sixty town and country members. The title Union was deposed in favour of Association. Our principal objects are protection, brotherhood, and liealthy aggression. I was chosen secretary without a single adverse vote.-- ...

... MANAGERIAL PARTNERSHIPS. Sir, Mr. Edmonds, a few weeks ago, opened in your columns a fine pitfall for Mr. Bogus. Surely no respectable managor will iu futuro assist Bogus with advance fares, to be paid back out of receipts, if, according to Mr. Edmonds, he becomes in consequence legally a partner, and therefore responsible for salarioB which Bogus may noglect to vtj. But Mr. Edmonds, by tho ...