... A ghostly experience in theatre and cinema SIR, I am currently researching for a book on haunted theatres and ci.iemas in the British Isles and wondered if you would be good enough to publish this appeal on my behalf. I wish to contact anyone, whether artist, stage crew or patron etc, who has either had experience of theatre or cinema ghosts, or who has any knowledge of a haunted theatre in ...

... Back to 'Sinbad' SIR, As we are presenting what we believe to be the first large-scale production ofSinbad the Sailor to be seen in London since Sindbad at Drury Lane in 1907, I would be very interested to know if anyone is still alive that either appeared in the original show or who remembers seeing it. Our Sinbad stars Ken Dodd, in Drury Lane the stars were Walter Passmore, Harry Randall ...

... An atmospheric evening SIR,-- My mates and I were really chuffed when it was pointed out to us today (March 18) your mention of The Stage Door Canteen; we recently all had the very good fortune to attend. What a shame for all your readers who didn't go that you didn't give a bigger description of the whole evening, even with pictures. This would really have captured what we all felt. It was ...

... What does a writer do? SIR, P. Trench can think himself lucky if the longest he has waited for a decision on his play is two months. Like many another writer I have had scripts lost by theatres, and am currently waiting on a certain theatre farther north which has had my play since May, 1982. (This despite four letters requesting its return). Nor does this script count as unsolicited. A ...

... 'No concern' to whom SIR, Bill Wilkinson, financial controller of the RSC, says that the cost of the set for Peter Pan is of no concern to outside parties or the press (THE STAGE February 17). As an outside party I am very concerned at the cost, as the nrice of the seat I usually apply for has just gone up by onr hundred per cent. V. R. Hopwood iu Maurice ixnirt Newham Road Wood Green London ...

... Support for an arts lobby SIR,--With regard to your article National Arts Lobby Formed published in last week's THE STAGE, I, like the other 150 representatives present at the Conference in the Almeida Theatre, attended due to the awareness of the probable catastrophic effect of the Government's present policy of abolishing the ula, ana omer Metropolitan authorities who. apart from the ...

... Oxford thanks Sir,--Your readers will almost certainly know from the coverage you have given us over the last 12 months that the Oxford Playhouse has been running an Appeal to raise £250,000. What they may not know is that we have succeeded in achieving that total with a couple of thousand to spare. The last few pounds which actually took us over the £m'/4 came fluttering in, appropriately ...

... Deep concern SIR,--I am writing on behalf of the Half Moon YPT to express our deep concern over Mr Branwell's remarks in the letter published in THE STAGE of October 20. He must be well aware that the present government is keen on making further public expenditure cuts. TIE companies are easy targets for these cuts and the current debate in THE STAGE can only undermine the survival of these ...

... Loud complaint SIR, -My attention has been directed to the correspondence on the problems of over-amplification (October 20 and November 17) a subject dear to my heart and ears. For years now I have been campaigning against the insensitive use of high-level sound in theatres or, indeed, any auditona. Coming up in an issue of Public Address, the journal of the Association of Sound and ...

... Transfers SIR,-- Your correspondent (THE STAGE March 17) is right to rejoice that the revival of Mr Cinders is to be transferred to a theatre in the West End, noted for its compactness and small size. After its run on the 'fringe', this often makes the show 'tried out' easier to transfer to another small stage of similar size to where the original production the Kings Head, Islington has ...

... Opposition to the MSC SIR,--We think it sad that, at a time when Arts Council funding is under threat of cuts to which Equity is rightly objecting, the Union cannot bring itself to welcome all sources of money to make jobs for members. Following the AGM, Equity called a conference to talk about the Manpower Services Commission, to which many members of the Centre and Left of Equity object in ...

... Royal Opera not wanted SIR,--Sir John Tooley wonders (THE STAGE September 8) whether Manchester operagoers want the Royal Opera seasons. Well I, for one, do not so long as they are presented in such an apparently dismissive way. Intentions may actually be of the best but is there any point in sending three old productions (two ominously described as 'staged by' a second producer and the third ...