... Scropbook Sir, I wonder if, through your pages, I may seek assis tance with a documentary I am preparing? I am at the moment gathering together material for, so to speak, a stage Scrapbook of the years 1939 and 1940, emphasising the conditions and experience of the civilian popu lation. I shall, of course, be making reference to the songs and the entertainment of the period. I wonder if there ...

... Shakespeare and Orton SIR, Might I add to R. B. Marriott's most comprehensive survey of 1969 theatrical treats the brave Troilus and Cres- sida at the Aldwych and Joe Orion's inspired-lunacy What the Butler Saw at the Queens. Posterity will, I trust, judge Orton's last effort more kindly than today's critics Yours faithfullv, CHRIS VIVEASH 142 Beech Avenue, Swindon, Wilts. ...

... Sir, Regarding the article by R. B. Marriott, Who's For An Equity Club, I would like to thank those who have taken the time and trouble to write to me, with many very good sugges tions, and in many cases an offer of help, from helping to coach members in speech train ing to addressing envelopes. The letters and com munications I have received are indeed very encouraging to me, inasmuch as ...

... 'Harvey' SIR,-- Having just seen a performance of the present touring production of Harvey, I feel that 1 must object to the Americanisms in the script. I am well aware that the author of the play was an American. However, the script could surely have been Angli cised prior to the English production. Harvey is by no means the only play that exhibits this type of fault in English ...

... Translations SIR,-- Your reviewer refers to the modernisms and Americanisms of my Ibsen translations, and I beg space to reply. In the play reviewed, The Pillars of Society, Lona and Johan have both recently returned from fifteen years in America, and Ibsen gave them a breezy, slangy way of speaking which contrasts markedly with the prim language of the local stay-at-homes. It seemed to me ...

... SIR,--in an editorial you ask, What is happening to children?. You seem somewhat surprised that they do not seem to be interested in the so-called entertainment offered to them at Christmastide, and also bewildered at the short runs of some 01 tnese snows. The answer is a simple one. Althcugh I am a totophobiac, even I am aware that children soon get bored if nothing is happening, and in a ...

... Grampian's output Dear Sir. With reference to his article last week, ''Grampian's strong sense of identity with its region, I wonder how many Grampian transmissions Mr Lawrence has viewed, and who he spoke to, apart from Grampian officials. i nave neard the old excuse before from Grampian officials about the amount of expense involved in a regular magazine programme not warranting the ...

... The Arnaud SIR, May I correct a statement made by Mr Miles Byrne in an item headed Gen6e Theatre Appeal Mr. Byrne claims that the Guild ford theatre receives around £40,000 annually. This is not so: The Arts Council makes a grant of £17,500 per annum plus £2,500 guarantee against loss; the Borough of Guildford £1,500; Hambledon R.D.C. 200; Guildford R.D.C. £125; and this vear we have been ...

... Blame for lack of new artists Dear Sir, With reference to your leader last week where you say Precious few performers have joined the ranks of Max Bygraves etc, I would like to point out that surely it is the companies themselves who are to blame for some of the lack of artists of good calibre. As Barry Kent's manager, I have put forward his name to every company, a large number of producers ...

... Evelyn Laye SIR, Having once more smiled our way through the latest Honours list Lords and all we are forced to reflect on how and why our loved and ever lovely Evelyn Laye is repeatedly overlooked. Perhaps she was born in the wrong area. Still she could make amends. She could begin to croak about the glory of Socialism and forget that all artists exist through the pockets of every section of ...

... David Warner Sir, With the opening of Tiny Alice, at the Aldwych, it is with great pleasure that we welcome back David Warner to the London theatre. His return has been far too long delayed, and his many admirers are delighted at the opportunity to see him in his true environment, especially when coupled with such a fine actress as Irene Worth. His return, however, serves to emphasise the ...

... Booking by phone SIR,--I would like to add to the comments of P. P. Taylor on booking at London Theatres. Not only is it virtually impossible to book by phone, it is often equally difficult to book by post. L/uiuig me in m y ca i ui na run, I wanted to see Fiddler on the Roof. I tried for a week to ring the theatre. The line was either engaged or remained unanswered. I wrote, enclosing money, ...