... To the Editor of The Siai.p Dear Sir, This week the Southport Repertory Company have as their pro duction ai ihe Scala, Escapade. I mention ihe name ot the theatre, as a louring repertory company is play- inn at the adjacent Garriek. It seems, at the present time, that there is quite a trend for these touring companies to play seasons at thcaircs which normally present variety, when there is ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Dear Sir. Could any reader gi> r me information or lend me books relating to female impersonation from the day* of Shakespeare to the present time V I would also be interested to hear from impersonators, with a brief account of their work and, if possible, photographs. I have been gathering information for some vears and desire the book I am writing to be exhaustive ...

... BACK-STAGE LIFE To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir, May one from the other side of the footlights, who is particularly in terested in all aspects of the theatre, seek the assistance of your columns I am very anxious to learn more of life back-stage and 1 wondered if any of your readers could suggesf any books which give a fair, frank, and above all authentic picture of lite behind the scenes. ...

... GREETINGS To the Editor of THE STAGE Dear Sir, Tony Sympson, who is a regular attendant at our council meetings obviously knows the location, but not the correct address of our Headquarters. This is not, as stated in bis letter, 215, but 224a. Shaftesbury-avenue, W.C.2. and it is from this address that Athene Sevier's First Night Greeting Forms can be obtained. I confirm that these forms arc ...

... TALENT CONTESTS To the Editor of The Stage. Dear Sir. Is it not high time some- j thing was done to restrain promoters j of amateur talent contests If winners of these affairs were allowed to remain amateurs. it would not matter. But. when prizes of theatrical and film contracts arc awarded, I con sider that the profession, and certainly our unions, should rise uo in revolt. Quite apart from ...

... The Editor THE STAGE. Dear Sir. I read an article by Jean-Pierre I.cnolr headed Success of Ihcatre of the Nations in your July 1. 1957, iswie. In this article Mr. Lenoir mentions the Italian Opera Company which performed at the Pari* season but at the s.iroc time he refer* to their performances in London before they came to Paris. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the ...

... To the Editor of The Stage. Dear Sir. The BBC have askctl mc lo arrange a musical feature programme on WHl Catlin, and the advance of summer enter tainment during his lifetime from sand show% to the spectacular. Many artists who read your column s may have some special memories from meeting or working for the late Mr. atlin and would let me have them for possible inclusion In the programme. ...

... To the Editor, The Stage. Dear Sir, In the preparation of a volume in the Hinnchsen Music Book series, the writer is anxious to trace throughout the British Isles records of musical epitaphs and associated inscriptions appearing on the tomb stones and memorials of actors, singers, composers, etc. Although the request principally embraces the search for items prior to 1850, in scriptions after ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE. Dear Sir, With reference to the suggestion by the Connaught, Worthing, that Another Part of the Forest has only been presented once before in this country by tbe Liverpool Rep. last year, I feel that I should point out that we presented it exactly three years ago, on tbe 15-20 March. 1954, and even then did not claim it to be the first production in this country. I ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE ir, I must ask you to correct the announcement in last week's issue of The Stage that I am to pro duce Alan Bush's Wat Tyler for the B.B.C. Although it has been understood for some time that I should do so. 1 had not in fact been officially engaged, and in any event (although 1 believe in the theory that art is beyond politics) since the Com munist brutalities in ...

... To the Editor of THE STAGE Dear Sir. Mr. Harold Darton in his article on publicity in the current issue, has been guilty of sweeping statements to which I, as a journalist-turned-Press Representative, take strong exception. In one paragraph he abhors handouts; in another he praises a publicist who sends out bulletins every week. Id third paragraph he condemns badly- written stories produced by ...

... Help for Spastics Sir, Your readers who so generously used Christmas seals for spastics last year will be glad to know of the way their contributions helped our fight for the handicapped. As a direct result, the National Spastics Society was able to open this year three new national schools and an employment training centre, the fir-t in the world aimed specially at training spastics for work ...