... MISQUOTED JtfORMAN COLLINS was misquoted by Variety about foreign use payments for writers and actors on British-produced telefilm series sold abroad. In his speech, at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Global TV forum, he said: We are in the process of reaching an agreement with but he did not say that any contracts were about to be signed.--Eric Croston, Public Relations Editor, ATV. ...

... CORNY CIR, -Why arc certain lines and situations in plays, as well as numbers in musicals, classed as corny? What is the origin of this word, which has a somewhat derogatory inference, being so often used to dismiss aspects of theatrical art in an unflattering manner? Is there any association between this term and the name of Corney Grain, the entertainer who died in the Nineties? Yours ...

... Don't be beastly to TV SIR,--Television is blamed for a great many things in this changing world, much of it aimed at producers who condone the play dealing with the seamier side of life. Life, we must remember, is portrayed in plays, films and books. The author must, of necessity, provide a theme and a plot when he writes his masterpiece. The ensuing story, however, must conform to cer tain ...

... SIR,--Understudying can be one of the most interesting yet most exasperating of an actor's curriculum. Weeks of rehearsals--watching the performances--carefully noting all moves and business, and, when word perfect, the some times long, frustrating period ing for that opportunity to dash on and show 'em how the part should be played! That being so. your correspon dent. Maxwell Foster, ...

... PANTOMIME SIR. I was glad to see a letter on pantomimes. I heartily endorse all that your correspondent has written and I suggest that the Harlequinade should be restored as this essentially puts real panto magic into the shows. Certainly the old traditions should be preserved and pop singers and radio comedians should not be starred in pantos. They dart from microphone to microphone and do ...

... MUSICALS TODAY SIR,-- May I, though a non professional, but very keen iheatrc-goer, in my young days especially, heartily endorse Jack Strachey's views on the so-called musical shows of today? I was recently at my focal Hippo drome and sat in a packed house watching a performance ol The Dancing Years, and some time earlier, in October last, The Merry Widow, also packed out If that isn't ...

... My Letters Ignored SIR,-- I was extremely interested to read your comments regarding the shortage of television directors and the rubbish that sometimes passes for a production on the small screen (July 14 issue). One would have thought that the television companies would have done their best to seek out the best of British talent from the theatre and films and train them for the highly ...

... PROGRAMMES SIR, I was most interested in your leading article on the subect of attractive and informative programmes. Recently 1 visited the Haymarket Theatre to see Ross and was charged a shilling for a leaflet con- loining a few inadequate notes on the career of Sir Alec Guincss. When I enquired the reason for this charge of a shilling (which is creeping into too many London theatres) I ...

... MANAGEMENTS AND PLAYS SIR.-- Driven to despair about the impossibility of getting plays read. I am appealing to you, to suggest a plan for putting this on a proper business basis. It is quiie mon strous that year follows year and nothing practical is done. Everyone realises that repertory companies working on a shoe-string cannot cope with the flood of scripts which pour in on them. Why cannot ...

... HONOURING SHAKESPEARE SIR,--In April 1964 we are to celebrate the quater-centenary of the birth of William Shakespeare. Here, surely, will be an occasion demanding imagination, courage and faith, for we must not only look back in wonder at the genius of Shakespeare, but we must also give more to, and ask more of the theatre of our own time. Let us make 1%4 a British Theatre Year, and begin ...

... A COMMENT FROM THE BOX OFFICE DEAR SIR,--I would like to comment on a letter recently printed in the stage, regarding the impoliteness of box-office staff. As an experienced member ot the Box Office Profession, and it has by no means any crazy ways, I would suggest that, before Miss Nestle makes any allegations of this kind, she should look into the matter deeply. The fact that the box ...

... TRINDER SIR, I was interested to read the si age notice of Jack and the Beanstalk, the excellent panto mime now playing to full houses at the Wimbledon Theatre. I hope you will allow me to com ment on the suggestion implicit in this criticism that Mr. Trinder didn't know his lines (when your critic saw the show) and that he hadn't taken the trouble to learn them. I sat with a packed matinee ...