... Bewilderment Over the Prince Charles SIR,--I am immensely distressed and bewildered by your account of the laying of the foundation stone of the Prince Charles Theatre. You report that Alfred Esdaile, who is responsible for having the theatre built, dislikes theatres decorated in contemporary style, primarily because costume plays seem out ot place on the stages of such places. The first ...

... The strike--Star actors CIR. It is apparent from the Equity statement in your issue of December 28 that the strike against the commercial television companies has become one for the star actors alone; i.e. those whose television fee is fifty guineas or more. I am convinced that the offer made by the programme com panies is acceptable to the lower- paid actors and all group singers and dancers. ...

... SIR,--With reference to the letter above from Mr. Johns, it makes us a little sad to think that we have failed so signally to make our case clear to one of our own members but are a little reassured when we reflect that at the last meeting of members the Council s policy in this matter was understood and supported overwhelmingly. Of course, it is precisely the smaller performer without per ...

... Dear Sir, REGARDING the Book With Chapters controversy, I would like to add my two- penneth. The Television Today criticisms fail, in my opinion, because they are anonymous. When a man signs his name to a criticism, one gets a shrewd idea of the standpoint from which he has criticised, and can thus assess its aptness. 1 enjoy television and welcome all sincere criticism of it, but it ...

... Shows for Tour SIR. As a regular theatregoer for thirty years I beg lo com plain of the practice of sending out tours of such musical shows as The Student Prince, Lilac Time, and Rose Marie, etc. These shows have been seen in the provinces dozens of times. Surely it would cost no more to send out tours of Oliver! The Sound of Music and The Music Man, for instance. We still don't wear ...

... Dear Sir, I AM on Mr. Pulman's side. My family and thoroughly enjoyed it and, although there was senti ment, it never occurred to us that the play was sentimental. I don't think it a fair criticism to say that the events are trite and unoriginal. On looking back I think some of the criticism was justified. The major events did appear somewhat contrived because they were not prepared for. ...

... Dear Sir, J AGREE whole-heartedly with Mr. Parker, and can well understand Mr. Pulman's resentment for a criticism which seemed quite extra ordinary in its injustice. I have viewed seventy-six original television plays during 1961, and only nine of these were in any way memorable. Two were by Mr. Pulman: Nearer to Heaven (shown early in the year) and the play which has caused this contro ...

... Sir, VOUR reviewer's main criticism seems to be what he colls the basic error of showing the world through a boy's eyes and simultaneously through an adult's. Why is it an error to attempt this? Isn't that what intelligent adults try to do in life? to see things as others see them (others, plural, including children). We were not shown the two levels at the same time, but alternately. I ...

... SIR, I have never written to a newspaper before, but feel I must write in defence of the old musicals mentioned by C. Reynolds in rHE stage dated January 4. I agree with Mr. Reynolds that it would be nice to see such shows as The Music Man and 'The Sound of Music touring the pro vinces, and no doubt (hey will do so eventually, but I often wonder whether t'hey will still be as famous as The ...

... TWO young players in the Oklahoma company had chances to play leading parts, when the severity of the Scottish winter incapacitated the principals. Pamela Vale, an 18-year-old youngster of promise played Ado Annie at half- an-hour's notice and held the fort for a week. Later Jill Donohue had the chance to play Laurey and won much favourable comment from the principals and those who came to see ...

... TV^R Sir, J have long felt that the attitude of the average tv critic towards tv entertain ment tends to be out of touch with the likes and dislikes of the millions of people who look to tv for relaxation. I am thoroughly sick of reading about some obscure documentary or an ultra-detailed discussion with serious-faced scientists bandying scientific jargon while the screen pops with atoms and ...

... Sir, DESPITE Mr. Croasdells reply to my letter in your issue of January 4th in which I drew attention to the Equity statement of December 28th as being very acceptable to group singers and dancers, it must now be clear to them that Equity are heading for disaster. Can it be any satisfaction to the Council to know that they have put out of business singing groups who previously existed on ...