... SIR,--Desmond Rayner's letter (Weathering the storm, August 20) is a reminder that there is nothing new under the sun and that everything, if given time, is cyclical. I he parlous state of the dramatic- theatre towards the middk of the last century led to vast numbers of former Georgian houses closing permanently as business slumped. Complacency, bad acting, frequent use of paying novices in ...

... SIR 1 read, with a wry smile, your article (October 15), on the alleged exclusion clauses operated by the management of The Chippendales, for this is not news to those of us operating similar (if not better) UK-based troupes. My experience during 1992 confirms the exis tence of such exclusion clauses at the insistence of the artist. I have lost count of the number of provincial the atres who ...

... SIR A read-through is one of the innumerable tools a direc tor needs to be equipped to use, and have the choice to use, without feeling he/she is obliged to exercise it. To deny the use of that potential inroad into the exploration of a writer's intention is, as I see it and as I have said, blatantly silly. ^Vhen, as a director, you use a read-through, you use it to help you make some of the ...

... SIR In reply to Martin Ransley's statement of concern regarding Andrew Neil (October 15): I hope the students entrusted to his teach ing and care are given clear and sensible answers to their questions. I am pleased to put Mr Ransley's mind at rest in confirming a posi tive 'Yes.' Mr Ransley should be thanked for his concern. And in reply to R Reader's (drama student) question (October 22), ...

... 'Too many awards do not a successful programme make' SIR--I must disagree with Nick Scott's letter, April 9. I would not wish to watch the programmes which he lists as dreadful, however I would not downgrade programmes which many viewers clearly enjoy. It is likely that many of these viewers would not wish to watch minority arts programmes on Channel 4 and I am sure that many of us would take ...

... SIR Your editorial of January 3 Market values ensure standard requirements is riddled with inaccuracies about me and my productions. Opinions are just that but should not be used to distort the truth. You accuse me of standardisation of product and cite productions of Les Miserables. Had you asked I could have told you that Israel, Hungary, Iceland, Poland, and Denmark all produced Les ...

... A timely tale for all dancers SIR -So Melody Urquhart is an industry expert! (Enter the dancing girls, February 13.) What a shame no one chose to speak to the organisation that repre sents the largest number of profes sional dancers in the UK British Actors' Equity. The 'new' threat from Eastern Europe of employers taking on dancers at next to nothing rates is about as 'new' as the Berlin ...

... Credit where credit's due SIR -- I am appalled at the growing habit of many non-commercial theatre companies of giving credits on their posters and handbills to everyone concerned with their productions, except the actors. Theatregoers may be attracted to a play for var ious reasons. The reputation of a company, the name of the author, or by good reviews, but overall they pay to experience the ...

... SIR,--I would like to respond to the many kind friends who wrote recently (January 3) following my recent departure from the Arts Council. I read their words with sur prise and delight and find it difficult adequately to express my thanks. They lifted my spirits and warmed my heart. I value that letter more than I can say. It is in fact I who, over the years, have been the bene ficiary. It has ...

... Berlin is the model of efficiency SIR-I feel I must write to protest at Patrick Martyn's article about the Friedrichstadtpalast, Berlin in the issue of December 12. I had the pleasure of working in variety shows in the German Democratic Republic several times since 1985 and, on my last visit to East Berlin in March 1989, saw the current Friedrichstadtpalast show Traum-vision. The standard of ...

... There is a new school of thought SIR It is patently obvious that the days of the stage schools for training young aspirants for the profession, are numbered. It is no longer necessary to attend RADA, or any of the established schools (including my old Alma Mater, Italia Conti) to gain admit tance to the profession and the covet ed Equity card There are now two certain ways to make it to the ...

... SIR,--Firstly, in response to the letter from Mike Bain--the PO'd Performer has as much right to be anonymous as his colleague, the Secret Agent, and it seems over sensitive of Mr Bain to criticise this anonymity. Secondly, the response from the Secret Agent (The Stage, July 16) was really quite amusing. His article nikst be aimed at the beginners in the business Wet a use experienced ...