... Jumping on the bandwagon SIR, Further to the article referring to Colin Crompton and his cut-price plans (STAGE, January 8), it is, of course, commendable that he should take such action, but we would point out that he is st least five years behind the times. Sarnia Productions have presented touring revues around all sorts of venues from social clubs to forces camps, and Duggie Chapman and ...

... But witt BARB be any better? Dear Sir, Your report on Christmas rating claims--Television Today January 15 --ended on a false note. You said: Differences of 52, 49 and 31 per cent in computing the audiences for popular and regular programmes emphasise once again the need for a single audience research organisation such as has now been formed and should be in operation during this year. Not ...

... D'Oyly Carte must not die SIR, I feel I must write to say how much I deplore the recent action by the Arts Council of Great Britain in denying financial help to The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. This Company, unique in so many ways, must surely be preserved as part of our national heritage. Its work is much appreciated by people throughout the world. The D'Oyly Carte organisation must not be ...

... A question of permission SIR, I would like to refer to the obituary of Viscount Robin Maugham (STAGE, April 12) and the fact that he had completed a one-act play, A Ques tion of Retreat shortly to be seen at Brighton Actors' Workshop. The impression given is that Viscount Maugham had written this as a stage play. In the cause of accuracy, can I just mention that this was a play especially ...

... NT petition and the fate of the NYT SIR,--As one of the organisers of the National Theatre petition concerning the National Youth Theatre, recently presented by Dorothy Tutin to Sir Roy Shaw at the Arts Council, I should like to make it very clear through THE STAGE that there is considerable concern at the aveine of the Arts Council grant to the NYT and that the petition was signed by ...

... Untrained? SIR, Why the necessity to look for a vehicle for Twiggy (STAGE, News)? Are there not enough trained actors and actresses capable of filling all existing and future roles without making use of an untrained model? Freda Izzard 1 19 Falcon wood Road Addington Croydon CR0 9BF ...

... The theatre at war SIR, I am writing a book on the theatre at war and I would be grateful if you could print this appeal for further information. Obviously I am very keen to get my hands on first-hand reminiscences about theatre at the Front during the First and Second World Wars but the book will also deal with the effect of both these wars on the British theatre and I am par ticularly hungry ...

... Fear of flying? SIR, Lack of support is the reason given by ABTT for cancelling their short course on Practical Flying scheduled for four days in October and November. I had hoped that one of our stage-crew could attend as this sort of course is essential to the proper training of staff in such a potentially dangerous area. Why didn't other theatres with flying systems wnH in annliratinnt^ ...

... Dunoon book SIR, I am writing a book on Du- noon's famous visitors and residents. I should be extremely grateful to any reader who knew Dunoon in its heyday to let me have reminiscences or anec dotes about well-known show business personalities connected with the town or Renee Forsyth Sarogus SPO Sandbank (by Dunoon) Argyll PA23 8PA ...

... Time for union to split into two SIR,--Once more at the recent Equity SGM we have had the unedifying sight and sound of a hundred malcontents spitting venom and fury against the elected Council, against the Equity staff, and this time a side-swipe at the Appeals Committee. I would give serious thought to refus ing to engage a hall or theatre to give such self-indulgent, bitter rhetoric an ...

... Pickpocket textbook SIR, For the past two years I have been writing a text-book on my pickpocket work and all aspects relating to performing a pickpocket act. It will have a limited edition of 500 copies for private circulation tor magicians only throughout the world. It goes to the printers later this year but I am most anxious to include a sec tion regarding famous stage pickpockets of the ...

... SIR, Reading the answer to my previous letter on this subject by Hugh Jenkins of the Theatres Trust, there was no difference in situation of the Bir mingham Aston Hippodrome to that of the Grand Theatre at Blackpool. Both had been in previous use as a bingo hall, and as for theatre use, the Aston Hippodrome was in use fax later than the Grand at Blackpool. Why wasn't the Aston Theatre saved as ...