... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,--A critic of the music-halls has been trying to explain why the pictures are ousting variety art, and ascribes it all to the conservatism of the comedian--bankrupt of ideas, serving up jokes that did duty twenty years ago, and so on. It is a little difficult to under stand why the comedian is singled out from every other public per former to inform us why ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,--Mr. Patrick Barrow's remarks are no doubt justified to a certain extent, but has he realised the fact that the majority of the markings, dilapidations, illegi bilities, etc., aro caused by the members of the resident orchestras, including the conductor? As a travelling musical direc tor of revues, musical comedies, etc., I have cleaned and rewritten parts and ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,--Mr. Barrow's letter on orchestra parts touches only the fringe of the subject. He has put the music-hall side of the question mildly. What about the musical play side? I know a musical director, who has recently had to stand down from a No. 1 tour because he wor ried over his orchestra parts. He wanted to 've his orchestra a square deal, a *\*an sets of ...

... Sir, There is another phase of I his subject, so ably dealt with by Mr. P. Barrow. I refer to the blatant and crudc orchestration, the vulgarity of which is only equalled by the many ungram- maticsl 44 harmonies one meets with in so many songs. I have one of these weird and wonderful songs before me now. It is arranged for full orchestra (in cluding three saxophones and two banjos). Every ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir, My play-going experiences extend well over the period dealt with in Mr. Alfred Bcrlyn'* article, and it is pleasant to recall the performances dealt with. 1 might point out that Tommaso Salvint paid more than on? visit to London. He was seen at Drury Lane in 1875; at the Queenr*, Long Acre, in 1876 (where the season ended abruptly) and at Oovent Garden in ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,--May I make the position in regard to the opening of Sadler's Wells clear to your readers? When our last appeal was issued two months ago (signed by the Duke oi Devonshire. Lord Lytton, Sir Johnston Forbes Robertson, and Sir Arthur rinero), it pointed out that the actual structural work could be completed in six weeks, and that only a minimum sum of £8,500 ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. j Sir, In your issue of May la, on pgi> 37, yon report a perform anc of Who Arc They? and state t list it is claimed that this was the first production in Great Britain. I take the liberty of pointing out that we prodncod this play under the title of The New Poor, on November 29, 1926. Yours faith i full v. A. E. STANLEY HILL, Managing Director, Bristol'# Little ...

... . To the Editor of Tbi Stage. Sir,-- I read with greaS interest your remarks on the above tub j ect last week I often wonder why tome of the Press, whenever there is a depression in theatrical business, instead of trying to help us to bridge over a bad spell, by a little writing up, or, if they would prefer it, hv remaining silent, indulge in glaring head lines about so-called slumps. At this ...

... . To the Editor of To Staoi. Sir,--I have read with interest your leading article this week, and unhappily must agree that, never in the history of the British stage has the profession suffered so much from unemployment. Surely on of the main causes of the trouble is the tendency of managers to day to carry the principle of type casting to oxcess. Obviously, other things being equal, common ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,--In the world of commerce we are taught that bad business follows bad management; and when we peer round the entertainment market we discern that bacl business is--more often than not--the outcome of little or no management, experienced resident. or road managers being to-day in no great demand. By a coincidence I am reading at the moment tho Recollect iona ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,--If you have the room to spare in your valuable columns. I think perhaps the following might be of interest to your readers, in view of the great return of stock or repertory to he boards of so many of our heatres. At the moment I am having he pleasuro of playing tho entiro round of leading parts at tho irst music hall in this country to urn into a once ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,--I am woudering if any of your readers can recommcud an organisation that would safeguard the interests of scenic artists. It is hard for many scenic artists to earn a decent living now, partly owing to trade depression, and also hecausu they have no union to safeguard incir in ie rests, uw unus carpcnters and actors painting scenery, and also helping to ...