... To the Editor of The Stage Sir,--The letters from those who are being frustrated in obtaining engagements as Variety Artists have greatly interested me, and I would like to answer them in a collective manner. I would like to say as a preliminary, I am not some disappointed youngster airing his own unexperienced views. i can ooast ot having topped. middled and bottomed variety programmes in ...

... Dear Sir,--Mr. Reggie Dennis, in your last issue, purports to tell us what is wrong with the business, and it seems that the theatre bands are at fault again. Poor, long-suffering musicians. What a lot they have to answer for, and no mistake. Blame the band has ever been the theme since l came into tnis business some 35 or so years ago; and long enough before that, too, from all accounts ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Dear Sir. I am amused to read in The Stage of the result of the cabaret auditions [at Quaglino's), or rather your remarks. I thought that youth and f or smartness during the day were much more important than originality and the entertainment value of an act. This is the most unusual single act with proved entertainment value, but I wouldn't fancy my chances of an ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE Sir, It is to be hoped thai the letter from Reggie Dennis in your last issue was read and digested by the manage ments concerned. Far too many No. 2 theatres have uncomfortable seats, and are badlv in need of a coat of paint. Tn which I u/nulrl add that thev are often cold and draughty in the winter. Very few of them have an orchestra of adequate size, arid the ...

... . Dear Sir. I am stirred to raise one small voice in the wilderness in connec tion with the cry. What's wrong with variety Surely it partly answers its own question Variety is the spice of life As an ex -pro., I should imagine it is a case of it not being what you do. but the way you do it. Boiled down, is it not a question largely of originality Don't we all know that often the small est ...

... . Dear Sir. I think Reggie Dennis really should put his own house in order before blaming the present slump on the owners of theatres. I have seen aome shows recently, with a reputable name in charge, that have been a disgraceful hash up of gags, songs and dance routines, seen and heard in constant repetition for most of the preceding weeks. I am not a script writer, but I wish the revue ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE Sir,--Sir Bronson Albery. director of the Old Vic Trust, apparently does not believe in the freedom of speech. He has answered my inquiries into the conduct of a public body supported by Treasury funds with a bitter personal attack on a loyal and devoted servant oi ir.c incairc, lor i vciuurc iu crass myself as such. My resignation from the Old Vic last December ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Dear Sir,--I hope you will permit me to reply to the apparently interesting feature of What Is An Agent ? by Fred Roberts. I wonder what has tempted your correspondent to attack the agents and stars? Personally. I don't think there is an iron curtain in any average agent's office, and I think if vou have a good act. and approach the agent in the right manner, you ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Dear Sir,--I should like to answer the points raised in the letter signed by Mr. M. Morton in your last issue. 1. The question of jealousy occurring in the company owing to artists receiv ing publicity. This should not arise they should realise that all publicity is bcneficial for their show. 2. The question of artists preferring to stand or fall on their merits as ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Pear Sir, I believe there arc a sufficient number of actors who are practically interested in painting to warrant the formation of an actor- painters' society and the holding of a show of their works in a London art gallery. 1 am prepared to undertake the organ Nation of such a show in the autumn of this year, provided a suffi cient number of exhibitors can be found ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE Dear Sir,--Let a brilliant artist perform in a coal cellar and his performance will remain brilliant. Nothing can make a good artist a bad one, not even bad material. The artist is always there. The same applies if you take a good show to a dump. The environment cannot take anything away from its merits, so don't try to blame the theatre or band. Since the ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Dear Sir, It is surely time that some thing was done about the prices of pro grammes at some of the concerts in London. For full analytical notes or complete texts, with translations, cf songs, one must expect in these infla tionary times to pay a shilling, but there are occasions when advantage seems to be taken of the public. Recently, at a recital given by a ...