... Belief in subsidy SIR, As a member of the public I read the letter from Johnny Dallas with growing disbelief (Stage, June 9). Are we really to assume that he and his fellow Variety artists have never appeared in a municipally owned theatre or hall, and that every variety programme makes money for the theatre? If he reads the reports in The Stage of local councils discussing shows put on at ...

... Needed now more than ever SIR, The possible closure of The Academy Drama School indeed has caused me great concern and personal concern as I am due to commence its Evening Course in September. Like an increasing number of poten tial students, I was offered a place at a top Drama School but was unable to attend due to being denied a grant by a Local Authority (in my case, the tight- fisted East ...

... There's more to commitment than three years in drama school SIR, For Mr Smith (and nine others) to be able to claim that the Equity Catch 22 thing is silly, it is obvious that none of them ever spent weeks preparing for a regional audition, impressed the directors involved, only to be asked Are you Equity? and then to be shown the door, with profuse gies and qualifications, when the ...

... Mum's not the word SIR, 1 am very glad that The Stage has reported the sponsorship by Fujitsu of the British Theatre Association's gala on January 14 but would like to point out that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother will not be attending. Sally Meades Director British Theatre Association Regents Park London NW1 ...

... Acting for students SIR, The Trustees of The Howard Lloyd Lewis Fund would like to thank all those who were involved in and contributed to the Celebration Event at The Forum Theatre, Wvthenshawe on December 15. The proceeds ot this event and other donations are to be invested to provide an annual award to a student of The East 15 Acting School. Anyone wishing to make further contributions to ...

... The other election campaign SIR,--The Equity Council elections are coming up again and many members, not just new ones, have never voted before. How do you make up your mind who to vote for? Here are a few hints. Take a look at the track record of the candidates, see what they support, and glance at the names of their proposers and seconders. Ask yourself, is this the son of person who ...

... Handl quest SIR, I am currently in the process of writing an appreciation of the life and work of the actress Irene Handl. I would welcome, from all members of the entertainment profession, any information, memories and anecdotes they may recall concerning this delight ful lady. If anyone can supply me with photo graphs, programmes, press cuttings or correspondence, I will gladly refund the ...

... Old soldiers give their thanks Sir, Thank you for words of apprecia tion for the three variety artists who recently entertained the old soldiers at the Star and Garter home. Perhaps through your column you would thank all the other dancers, singers and musicians who have so generously given their time and talent at these monthly lunchtime concerts which I have been arranging over the past ...

... Snags at the Towngate are 'in its design' SIR,--I do hope Anamaria Wills, director of Basildon's Towngate Theatre, did not think I was criticising the administration of the theatre in my last letter. Far from it. I have nothing but praise for the stage manager and his crew tor the way they helped to over come the snags. My only beef was that most of those snags should not have been there in ...

... First lady organist pipes up SIR,--In your ShowPeople column (June 20), it was stated that Miss Jane Poxon is the first woman organist to join the Tower Ballroom organ team. May I correct this statement, and point out that I was in the original team, formed by the late Mr Ken 1 urner in 1977, and in which I played for five years. There was also Miss Esme Hand who played for at least two ...

... I just called to say SIR,--We were most grateful to your correspondent for explaining the mix- up that occurred over a wrong telephone number (July 4). Letters that we sent to many of your readers were typed 440 2424 instead of 440 2324. And no one, of course, will be more grateful than Theo, the Greek hairdres ser, who found himself answering all the calls that were meant for Helen Shapiro ...

... Putting artists in the picture about photo's SIR,--I have noticed various announcements in The Stage concerning the return of artists' photographs from agents and managements. I have always been quite amazed that artists request the return of photographs, and am sure this opinion is shared by many of my colleagues in the agency field. Perhaps I should point out how I and other agents work in ...