... Sir. Frank Crawshaw insists that ratepayers should pay local repertory actors at least as well as a dustman. May one ask why? A dustman works much longer hours, has a more exacting job, and is a far greater social asset to a com munity. Many actors at small theatres are still serving an apprenticeship and gaining valuable experience at the expense of the ratepayers. In the new deal that is ...

... SUSSEX PLAYWRIGHTS' CLUB Sir-- I was interested to read the letter from Player-Playwrights who described themselves as the daddy of them all. Whilst not undermining the work and achievements of this particular group, I think their paternity claim must be questioned. We at the Sussex Playwrights' Club are proud of our existence, which began in 1935 and has lasted, without in terruption, to ...

... CLUB DIRECTORY SIR.-- Gail D'Brionne asks why she was not informed of the proposed Equity Variety Club Ar tistes' Directory, thus missing the chance to appear in it. As a fully paid-up member of Equity in March 1972 she would have received the Equity Journal which not only announced the proposed Directory but also included a form to be filled in and returned by members interested in having ...

... NEW VENTURE SIR, I should like to ask actors if they would be interested in joining me in the following venture: I should like to start an Actors Theatre Movement, which would enable them to work together dur ing resting periods, thereby provid ing themselves with a place to study and share ideas and, very important, provide themselves with a shop window but a window with difference. 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 ...

... A CASE OF PIQUE? SIR.--The Deadly Duo are at it again--Messrs Goring and Bond, (presumably piqued by the memory that in June the membership elected 27 councillors belonging to an organisation which thrv had tried so verv hard to discredit continue their tiresome campaign of disruption (Letters September 2b). How sad and ironic that they should object so strongly to the payment of our TUC ...

... BLEAK OUTLOOK SIR. In response to the letter by Miss Pamela Manson, 1 would Uke to ask her one simple question: If the country is in a state of ruin, where will the theatre be? Nothing that the Labour Party has done in office these last few months gives me any feeling of satisfaction, hope, or optimism. In fact, quite the reverse. The future to me looks bleak, and it seems a very shortsighted ...

... MORE MASOCHISM SIR. 1 read the letter from N D Sandham B.A. A. D. B. (Ed.) with interest. 1 particularly liked the comment on the practice of the Thespian skill being the supreme act of masochism. May I suggest that even loftier masochistic heights may be achieved by any of my fellow per formers mug enough to write N. D. Sandham's book for him, or her. Yours faithfullv. 6 Murdoch Terrace. ...

... No thrills in Thriller Dear Sir: Perhaps I might be allowed to express the feelings of a viewer at the quality of the ATV series Thriller which has just ended. To sav that these were run of the mill is to be kind, for they gave the impression not so much of being inspired as of being mapped out on a drawing board. 1 did not see one in which the characters came to life and in which events ...

... 'BILLY' SIR,--I think it is unhappy timing that Mr. Northen should complain about an American choreographer, and an American lighting designer, receiving permission to work on Billy, at the very moment that over one hundred British actors and technicians are actively working in New York. In any event, it is necessary to point out that Equity only reached its generous decision, once it had ...

... Getting their repeat fees for commercials i Dear Sir, You have recently been kind en ough to print letters from myself and Jaguar Books drawing attention to the unsatisfactory method of pay ment of repeat fees for commercials. In order that artists and their agents could have a chance to see how the problem could be overcome I and at the same time, ensure that all monies due to artists were ...

... BRISTOL SIR, While reading through The Stage of July 18, I noticed what I consider to be a deplorable situation in the theatre today. (1) Bristol Hippodrome closed, (2) Bristol Little closed until further notice. (3) Bristol New Vic re-opening date not yet available, (4) Bristol Theatre Royal resumes September 4. It seems surprising that four theatres should be closed at one and the same ...