... To the Editor of The Siaob Dear Sir, All theatre-lovers will applaud the action of Alec Chines in offering a prize of £500 for the best new play to be submitted for production during the Festival of Britain, but I cannot help feeling that the choice of Christopher Fry and Peter Ustinov as his fellow judges is not altogether wise. Both are extremely talented and stimu lating writer*, but their ...

... To the Editor of The Stack Sir--In replying to Oscar Quitak's letter in The Stage, March 30. I feel that although his suggestion be sound in theory it is far from practical. I entertain the greatest admiration for our agriculturists, and acknowledge farming to be of top priority to this country of ours. In view oi this, l do not think it would be fair to our farmers to thrust upon them ...

... To the Editor of The STAGE Dear Sir. Regarding mention in s recent edition of The Staoe that at Boston Repertory nearly half the company there are local amateurs, surely this is a case for British Equity to immediately investigate and stop also other repertory managements that may be employing too high a percent age of local amateurs, thos keeping the professional artsU out of work. Boston ...

... To the t-ditor of Tur Siac.e Pear Sir,-- As an actress-manager a bo, like your correspondent, Enid Hollins, turning umpiring playwright-- I should like to add my thanks to the readers of my first three-act play. Managers and manriKemcntt arc fre quently condemned for the lime they j take in reading plays vent them by the hopeful authors. May I say that I received the following letters of criti ...

... AN APPRECIATION To the Editor of Thk STAGE. Sir, It must be with profound sorrow that the news of the death last week of Blackpool's famous clergyman. Canon F. B. Freshwater, was received throughout the theatrical profession During his long association with the Church of St. Stephen-on-the-Cliffii he has been continuously the local chaplain of the Actors' Church Union an office which he ...

... To the Editor of The Stag* Sir,-- Looking back on 60 years of theatrical fife I often wonder how many actors have had the varied eiperience of your humble servant in West End theatres. In these days beginners get their experience in repertory, hoping for the Mecca of all good artists, but I fear I be at the other end of the ladder joining the little Court Theatre in Sloane-square then ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE Dear Sir. Anne Kennington must count herself lucky, as a beginner, to have her play read so promptly. Per haps the most significant part of her letter in last week's issue is the fact that the two speedy and kindly returners of her play were a script-writer and a pioducer. My experience and I cannot count myself a beginner is that man agers, though often courteous ...

... BOSTON UPHELD To the Editor of THE STAGE Dear Sir, Naturally, as producer of j the Boston Repertory Company. I feel I must supply you with the true facts In 34 weeks only four amateurs have been used in our productions, one of these was callcd on twice and two others once, while the fourth has never appeared except as an off-stage laugh. ihe theatre, a fine ok! Regency build ing fully equipped ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE Dear Sir, In your last issue Charle> Landstone's letter on the necessity for early opening of theatres is interesting reading Mr. Landstone. however, in his enthusiasm for early opening, for gets to mention the London Hippo drome. the Casino, and the Palladium, at all of which houses twice nightly per formances are taking place as late as 8 30 in the case of the ...

... Dear Sir, When is an amateur not an amateur when he or she is a profes sional and what makes the professional? When he or she acccpts pavment for acting. It can also be said it is when he or she devotes his or her whole career to the theatrical profession. Therefore, Mr. John Codner was being a little unfair when he accused the Boston Repertory Company, which has been so successful under the ...

... To the fcditor of The Stage Dmi Sir.-- May I lake the liberty of expressing an opinion through the columns of Ink Si age re the ban on German artist* I was unable to attend the recent meeting, but have noticed that the voting was still in favour of tl e ban. i should think that this is enough to convince anyone, but there is a very powerful interest trying to get this ban lifted. Firstly, take ...

... To the Editor of The Stage Dear Sir, The correspondent's letter, On The Land,** printed in a previous isue of The Stage, interests me very riuch. I myself am keen to get into rep and to begin professional work n the stage, and whilst waiting for an pport unity am working in horticulture. Ay experience up to the present has een a mixture of peculiar problems, nd the difficulties are quite real ...