... What good gay actors give SIR, May I endorse what your correspondent wrote concerning man agements not casting gay actors in leading gay roles. Recently I saw Martin Sheen in The Normal Heart. He gave a deeply emo tional performance which was spoiled for me by his acting 'camp'. The prissy head movements and the loose hipped walk were that of a heterosexual imitat ing a gay. In One of Us at ...

... A 30 year old producer at Tyne Tees has won a travel bursary to study broadcast ing in Canada. Paul Black, a producer on the network religious programme Highway, will be going to Toronto for five weeks from July. The award is worth up to £4,500 and is made by the Commonwealth Rela tions Trust. Each year the Trust offers three bursaries to broadcasters from the BBC and independent sector to ...

... 'Just take a look at our reviews' Following strong criticisms of Peter Schaufuss' treatment of Festival Ballet dancers and staff, the Chairman says SIR,--I would be grateful for the opportunity to reply to the two articles you have recently published about London Festival Ballet (Aug 29 and Sept 12). Peter Schaufuss was appointed arti- sitc director of London Festival Ballet in September 1984 ...

... Beating the drum Sir, 1 found the article on Ralph Koltai (September 17) both interesting and provocative. But there is one factual inaccuracy which should not go uncor- rected and it concerns the National Theatre's Olivier drum revolve. It is totally incorrect to say that nobody has succeeded in activating the equip ment. On the contrary it has been used successfully as a revolve in three ...

... Dip into the good digs guide Sir Finding good digs is a problem which confronts everybody in the pro fession. For those who work in rep and touring theatre, it's a continuing strug gle. Overworked theatre administra tions do their best, but their lists are often years out of date and not as informative as might be wished. What is clearly needed is a nationwide index of recommended digs. In ...

... ATV opportunity for stage hopefuls SIR, FLYMAN'S article (October 6) prompts me to remind those waiting in the wings that the opportunity to direct might well lie with the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme, about to enter its 29th year. Many of today's leading directors Trevor Nunn, Michael Rudman, Ken neth Loach among them would confirm that this ITV Scheme offers a useful training in ...

... Fighting support for the arthritis appeal SIR, Earlier this year you were kind enough to print my letter of January 25 in your letters page. As a result several showbusincss personalities suffering from arthritis contacted (is offering their support. I would like the opportunity to thank these people publically through your column for coming forward to tell people what arthritis means to them ...

... Nightmare end to the Round House dream SIR,-- Having worked in Camden and been a regular at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, in its 'salad days' of entertainment, I have watched (and waited) with interest for the opening of the new Black Arts Centre at the Round House. The young man who was appointed to bring the new black arts centre at the Round House on stream has been vilified in the press on ...

... Coco and the kids of Hyndburn SIR, While I realise the aim of your letters column is to cover a variety of subjects without playing host to tit for tat battles, I feel the letter from Cather ine Carpenter (Clown Shandy), Let Them See For Themselves, March 16, should be corrected. The letter claimed that schoolchildren had been told to write to their council to say that they did not want to see ...

... 'Gypsy Princess' music salvation SIR,--A few months ago, a letter from Peter Tallis appeared in your columns, in which the writer confessed little surprise at the lack of success of modern musicals in London since he considered them deadly dull, with music that was particularised only because it was so instantly forgettable. Instead, he pointed to the runaway success of the little heralded ...

... Audrey Barr SIR, I would like to pay tribute through your columns to the marvellously talented actress, Audrey Barr, who has recently died. She will be sadly missed, not only by those of us who worked with her, but also by theatregoers in Liverpool, Ipswich and in particular Lincoln, where she lived and worked for many vears. Sam Kelly 97 Canbury Avenue Kingston-upon-Thames Surrey ...

... Message on Bond's mission SIR,--I am the Councillor referred to by our President (Derek Bond in his letter in the January 17 issue of The Stage) who asked him to bring back details of the press statements, radio and TV interviews etc. given by him while he was in South Africa. I feel, therefore, that I must be entitled to reply to his letter. I live and work in the North so it is not just a ...