... SIR,--Gary Cockrell's 'defence' of his closure of the Dance Centre can scarcely reduce the bitterness felt by teachers and students alike at the sudden and arbitrary nature of the decision, and is most unlikely to convince them of his altruism. Many of them, still not re-settled in other venues on a permanent basis, are feeling the repercussions. If the centre has not been finan cially viable ...

... SIR, Anne Morley-Priestman reports that Leonard Rossiter is to play Fred Midway at Greenwich in the first London revival of David Turner's Semi-detached and states that the part was originally played by Laurence Olivier. In fact, Rossiter created the part at the Belgrade, Coventry, and in the estimation of many people played it rather better than Olivier did in the subseouent London ...

... SIR,--May I take this opportunity of congratulating THE STAGE for the excellent coverage of Gracie Fields' eagerly-awaited return to her native Rochdale. It would appear, however, that the auspicious event became frustrated by the Rochdale hounds being out in full force, in the form of petty officialdom. The national press has appro priately called attention to Grade's loyal and devoted ...

... Without Equity entry--any year a bad year SIR,--In response to Simon Treves' letter (September 21) in which he raises the question of automatic provisional Equity membership on completion of a recognised drama school course. As a past president of the Association of Drama School Students, I am very familiar with this controversial subject and the points for and against it, and I do not pro ...

... Auditions postponed SIR, With reference to my recent advertisement for actresses. I should like to thank all those who applied. The response was excellent. However, I have had to postpone production owing to current work commitments, and also any audi tions. So, I hope all will be patient until I can advertise for open auditions when I trust to be able to see the applicants. Tony Parkin c/o ...

... CORPSING SIR, I have just returned from a New Year's Day matinee perfor mance of Kiss Me Kate, by a fairly generously subsidised, and certainly comparatively well staffed, reper tory company. Their evening perfor mance charges range from 85p to £1.35. By the end of the performance 1 attended over half the cast were visibly giggling and there had been an earlier outbreak. In view of the ...

... BANKSIDE GLOBE SIR.--Now, after nearly four years of continuous activity, the outlook has never been better for the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe within yards of the original site. Three successful seasons of ambitious productions, concerts and cinema festivals have been ed at the temporary Globe Play house and environs in this hitherto neglected area of the South Bank where we have ...

... FOUNDATION DATE SIR.-- May 1 try to throw a little light on this hotly debated question as to whether 1929 or 1930 was the foundation year of Equity. In the autumn of 1929 I acted as an interpreter for an International Conference of Actors in London, which had been organised by a young actor, Russell Sedgwick, at that time secretary of the Actors Association German, French and American ...

... Sir, With reference to the special meeting of Equity members held at the Adelphi. Publicity, both on television and in the national Press, and now in THE STAGE, has been given to a statement by Tommy Steele that, because the proposal to strike for one day on January 12, in order to protest against the Govern ment's Industrial Relations Bill, was defeated: We have shown today that our union is ...

... SIGNATURE TUNES SIR. I am writing the history of the, signature tune since it first came into use, and should be most grateful for any information, anecdotes, memories or comments on this subject, past and present, all of which will be acknowledged. Yours faithfully, David Gunston B3 Madeira Koaa, North End, Portsmouth P07 6HF. ...

... PRESTON CHARTER SIR, Since my name is mentioned in THE STAGE, March 9, in your theatre survey in connection with the Charter Theatre, Preston, I would be grateful if you would allow me some space to clarify the matter. my is productions at the the theatre represent four tours, a five weeks repertory season in 1976, a short season starring names from Coronation Street and a sequence of ...

... DONE THE LOT SIR, May I enlist the aid of your readers, please? I am compiling a list of actresses and actors who have played in all Shakespeare's plays, and would much appreciate any help your readers can give me to ensure a complete and accurate record of this rare distinc tion. Yours faithfully, Cromar Mitchel 5 School Lane Tiddington Stratford upon Avon CV37 7AJ ...