... Cutting costs SIR Re your article concerning The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven in The Stage (March 26). In the penultimate paragraph you say that The Torch must face the possibility of staff cuts. I'm afraid staff cuts started a year ago when the carpenter's shop was closed, resulting in the loss of the designer, master carpenter and assis tant carpenter. The trainee carpenter was trans ...

... It's time to elect a Council to represent everybody SIR--If I may, yet again, take issue with Ian McGarry (Equity General Secretary) through your columns. He states on your front page, April 9, that 'it is signally unfair to suggest (the Honorary Treasurer) can be responsible for a proposal going to referendum and the timing of a referendum. I would suggest that if, in this instance, the ...

... '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 ...

... Tricks of the TV trade SIR Having read Pat Moore's article, Thames wizard casts new spell over variety, I felt I just had to write and agree totally with what was said. It was nice to read John Fisher's words, and to see someone in the produc tion side of the televi- sionindustry supporting variety. One thing I would like to add to this superb arti cle however is, that in my opinion, the ...

... SIR-I can think of no-one who does more to fight for live theatre and its political context than Philip Hedley (Letters April 23) and I share his reservations about the Government's intentions for the new Heritage Ministry. It has to be admitted, however, that John Major appeared to act with pur poseful alacrity in announc ing the new cabinet post within 48 hours of the elec tion result. In ...

... SIR-While applauding the initiative of the Playwright's Co-op (April 16) in establishing a forum for new writers, the statement by Greg Branson that The Bush is now the only theatre in London that genuinely Supports and produces new ers cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. The Theatre Royal Stratford East's record is second to none in nurturing new plays and writ ers. The artistic policy ...

... SIR Re: Chit Chat April 23. Fast talking Phillips guns down signed. For the past four years I have been one of the Interpreters at the Equity AGMs, and have to admit to look ing forward to the chal lenge of much varied speakers. The letter described me as the 'victim' of Geremy Phillips. How ever, this is not the case at all. I might have to sign faster than Bruce Lee kicked, and my brain has ...

... SIR-There is an old proverb to the effect, 'Who you know is far more important than what you know'. Having spent many years in the entertainment business I have H learnt that there is a great deal of H truth in that cynical phrase. H As an actor I do not complain H about my lack of employment. H All actors know that unemploy- H mem is a part of the job. H However, I do strongly complain H ...

... Programme policy is a turn off in the West End SIR 1 recently attended a perfor mance of Death And The Maiden at the Duke of York's Theatre. It is an amazing play and thoroughly deserves its success. I wasn't so pleased, however, with the arrangements for the purchase of pro grammes. I am aston ished that I had to pay £2.40 (there was no alternative) only to discover that what I had paid for ...

... Part exchange could work miracles SIR I would like to clarify the posi tion of the American artist. Reeves Stone Watson, currently appearing in Moby Dick, as queried by Sandy Phillips, (March 26). We supported a work permit for Mr Watson on the basis that a British artist (as yet unnamed) will work in the USA for a comparable period. This kind of exchange is possible because of the agreement ...

... SIR Chit Chat's piece How Regular Can You Get? (April 16) caused us concern. Tickets for My Fair Lady were at a premium, I'm delighted to say, and no evening seats were available when Derek Wayland rang to ask for review tickets just before the opening on April 1 An ever zealous marketing department offered him £10 matinee seat for April 9 which should have been offered as a review ticket as, ...

... SIR Once again the Equity AGM relapsed into the now well established slanging match with factions within it hurling acrimony and verbal abuse at each other. This undignified demon stration makes the Association look very foolish and ineffective. A lack of unity in our own discus sions seriously undermines the strength of Equity's negotiating power. The enthusiasm of the members who fight ...