... 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 ...

... Better a kiss than a mouthful SIR, With reference to The Stage January 19 (Don't take Sweets from Ugly Sisters) I played the lead role of Buttons in Cinderella at the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate. Whilst on stage I have often received kisses from children, sometimes char mingly when I least expected it! In defence of my fellow artist I tell you that the kiss for a sweet line was initially aimed ...

... Full support for director James SIR, I refer to the article by David Adams based on an interview with Roger Tomlinson in The Stage (Jan 26). There are a number of issues that I raise on behalf of the Board and the members of Sherman Theatre. I have been asked firstly to endorse entirely and enthusistically, the artistic directorship of The Sherman by Michael James. Might I add that in a I ...

... What about Waldini? SIR, I am at present making some extensive research into the history of Waldini and his Gypsy Band which was playing from the mid-thirties until the death of Waldini in 1966. They were playing with ENSA dur ing the war in Germany and the Far East, and after returning to this country Waldini wrote a book about his experi ences called Front Line Theatre. If anyone reading ...

... A simple solution SIR, 1 have been following the reports on the DoE enquiries which are produc ing such headaches for agents, and notice the increasing interest in 'high tech' solutions. I am sure most agents are good enough buyers to be able to get good value for money in most things, but it is easy for those unfamiliar with small computer systems to be blinded with science or put off by the ...

... Here is the panto news SIR, I really think that British pantomimes have gone down-hill. Oh yes they have! I don't often go and see them, the last one I saw was Jack and the Beanstalk at the Wimbledon Theatre in 1987. The reason why I feel British panto mimes have got worse is because of the people who appear in them. I believe tbey have nothing to do with panto mimes, or showbiz in general. It ...

... Credit to Aukin SIR, Further to the article about me in The Stage, Oct 5, I should like to point out a serious error. Although the Haymarket has benefitted from the leng run of Me And My Girl in London at no time did I say that I had anything to do with producing this musical at the Haymarket, or indeed persuading Robert Lindsay to star in it. David Aukin, the then theatre director, was the ...

... Fringe safely firsts SIR, The fining of the Cafe Theatre and the article concerning it in The Stage, 'We Must Stick Together or Die Together' (October 5) highlights an attitude towards public safety by fringe managements which I find rather wor rying. In recent years we have seen a number of disasters; Kings Cross, Bradford City, Herald of Free Enter prise, Clapham Junction and so on. I hope ...

... Time to pay for the Grapevine SIR, The most extraordinary thing about the Grapevine debacle is the sheer ignorance about it shown in pronouncements and reports emanating from those who should know better, such as council members. w it is said tnat job orapevine has never got any Equity member a job. That is not and never has been its function. It was set up to provide Equity members with ...

... 'Dont short change us' SIR--I realise that, as an arts marketing consultant responding to the recent criticism by Francis Reid and yourselves (October 19) of marketing theatre, I may be accused of self-interest; yet I really cannot let pass such uninformed opinion which is grossly insulting to the very many talented marketing practitioners now working in the arts throughout the country. The ...

... The cost of confusion SIR As usual THE STAGE offers us yet another absurd example of muddle- headed thinking (The Real Cost of Marketing October 19). Suggesting that a Marketing Department may simply pay for their own excesses urniil/j kw fnnnv if if cnrh a aH indictment of the prehistoric attitudes of our 'trade paper. Assuming you have 700 seats to sell at an average of £5.00 a seat for 300 ...

... Coco supported animal trainers--not 'cowboys' SIR, It is very wrong of Patricia Simpson to attempt to promote the myth that Coco the clown was against performing animals in circuses. On the contrary, in his autobiogra phy Coco the Clown he speaks very favourably of circus animal trainers, and indeed he himself had an act with his performing dog Floki. Throughout his career Coco shared the ...