... UNVEILING SIR. The unveiling of the Laurier Lister bust will take place at the Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford, at twelve noon on January 12, 1976. A small reception will be given by the chairman and trustees of the theatre and all actors who have contributed are invited to attend. Stanley Beard, the artist, will be present, and of course Laurier Lister himself. It is confidently expected that the ...

... EDDIE GRAY SIR. When pros chat about comedy, one name always provokes hilarious reminiscences concerning both his on- and off-stage activities that of the late Monsewer Eddie Gray. I'd be grateful if anyone who has a first-hand Eddie Gray story to tell would contact me. so that as many as possible could be caught between the covers of a small book duly accredited, of course. Such a ...

... DEMOCRACY IN ACTION SIR, The quick answer to CRAPE is that if the present Equity council is reactionary, it has nevertheless been put there by the votes of a large majority of the members and that, like it or not, is democracy. I do wish CRAPE and the WURPs would stop vapourising about democracy: it is the last thing they are really interested in Reactionary, too. is jusf a term of political ...

... PORTABLE THEATRES SIR. I am writing an account of the portable theatres operating in Bri tain from around the turn of the century. My great-great -grand father. George Allen, had. I believe, one of the first portables and the Allen family and later another relation Jack Dillon were very much involved in this type of theatre. I have managed to obtain some information from the few surviving ...

... THE WRITER'S PLIGHT SIR,--Ed Berman seems semantically confused when he says Almost Free's aim is to encourage new writers and then adds that only three out of 300 recent submissions had any worth. A 1% acceptability rate I would have thought in itself a statistical improbability, but what is most important about his statement is how it typifies the attitude of the theatre Establishment ...

... SAGA RESUMES SIR After a summer recess from The Opera House Saga the silly season has been kicked-off with unerring timing just before the 1975 Edinburgh Festival. Can it be that Glasgow and Scottish Opera's laudable achieve ments with the Royal in Glasgow in a very short period of time; at comparatively low cost; and with a sense of dignified balance as to what is befitting in these harsh ...

... SIR May I avail myself of your columns to thank all those generous members of the profession who have so far donated towards the renova tion costs of the Arundel Playhouse, the new home of the Arundel Players? In time, we hope it will also become a regular and popular spot for touring companies and revues. On behalf of Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk, whose property this is, I would warmly welcome ...

... SIR, As a citizen of Great Britain I enjoy certain freedoms denied to those in some other parts of the world, one of which is to be able to travel freely anywhere under the protection of my passport. As an artist I seek to earn my living wherever an audience will pay me to be entertained. In life we have to deal with some people we like more than others, but if we only dealt with those of ...

... BROADHEAO CIRCUIT SIR,--During the years 1900-1934 the principal theatrical circuit in Lancashire was known as the Broadhead Circuit which was built by William Henry Broadhead and his sons. I believe that at this time he was the only man in the country who owned 17 theatres. It was unfortunate that on his death in the 1930s no records were kept of the activities of this organisation which ...

... PSYCHOLOGY SIR,--It was with great interest that I read John Linsie's article in The Stage regarding Psychology and the Theatre. I firmly believe that careful analysis of audiences at any establishment where entertainment is performed will assist the management to plan future seasons or periods of entertainment with suc cess. John Linsie mentioned recent surveys conducted for Sadler's ...

... STOCKTON GLOBE Sir,--I read in The Stage of the auction of the fittings and contents of The Globe. Stockton-on-Tees. Cleveland. While it is sad to see this 2.400 seat theatre go. one must face the fact that it is a large and expensive operation, especially since it is so close to the fabulous Forum at Billingham. I had the opportunity of playing Dame last Christmas at the Globe and feel this ...

... A. V. PEACHEY SIR. I wish to obtain some copy cuttings or other information regarding Arthur Valentine Pea- chey, a novelist who wrote for the London stage about 1926. If your readers have any informa tion on his whereabouts, or surviv ing relatives, I should greatly appreciate it. or a view of any published material. Yours faithfully, J. Harness i aiuui i li 1 1 1 III Talbot Road. Bournemouth. ...