... Torch must be allowed to shine It is easy to get carried away with Michael Bogdanov's proposals for a federal system (December 16, News, page 4) for they offer growth, employment and the pursuit of cultural enrichment. Why, though, must it be at the cost of a respected producing house like the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven? There are too few opportunities for actors to live and work in ...

... Staying alive While the licensing laws regarding two musicians in a bar have long been blamed for killing music (Decem ber 16, News, Front page), adaptable quality duos have long kept it alive. Live music, at its roots, is far more likely to be killed by greedy landlords booking larger, cheaper, inferior acts. Martin Kitcher Broad Avenue Bournemouth ...

... Standing up for panto quality It was a pleasant surprise to see Jim Davidson standing up for pantomime on television recently. He came down strongly on producers who think that pantomime can best be served by a three-piece band and cheap staging, rightly adding that, for many young people, panto is their first taste of theatre and to present it in a cheap manner robs the kids of what should be ...

... Spotlight on Skills is a basis for the future We write to express our concern at the extremely negative slant given in The Stage to the report Spotlight on Skills, jointly commissioned by SOLT and BECTU in association with Metier (December 23, News, Front page). It appears that your reporter has simply trawled the report looking for all the negative aspects while ignoring the positive ones. ...

... Thanks for all those memories Thursday, November 18, 1999 was the 163rd birthday of Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, and on that date I was privileged to present my solo entertainment, A Disagreeable Man?, the story of WS Gilbert and AS Sullivan, at the Horsham Arts Centre for the last time in 1999. During the past year, I have been engaged to present the piece on 37 occasions in a wide ...

... In your interview with Dom Joly (December 9, Write Attitude, page 29) it was claimed that he was once a political reporter at ITN. and that he was sacked for getting his friends to ruin face to face interviews with eminent politicians Wrong on each count, I'm afraid. Firstly, Joly enjoyed a brief spell at ITN. employed as a freelance political producer. He was never a political reporter ...

... Future imperfect We have opened up a hornet's nest in Scarborough by suggesting that, if the town's Futurist Theatre is to close, the Opera House should be reopened as the best venue for touring and summer shows (December 23, News, page 4). But I was not previously aware that the Futurist started its life as a fiat-floored hall with a platform at one end. I am afraid that your correspondent ...

... Chorus of disapproval? As the request for an Equity Special General Meeting has failed so far, I should like all members to vote disapprove when page six of the referendum paper asks: Has the council listened to its members? The answer is no. Therefore if you have the interest of the union at heart and wish it to be run by the members for the members, vote disannrove. Roy Baker roy ...

... All voices have been heard In response to Sally Treble (December 23, Letters, page 7), what Sally and her 'resistance movement' continually overlook or conveniently forget is that the RepCon Group set up the Annual Representative Conference. At this conference every single branch (including, of course, the variety branches) and every single committee (including, of course, the walk-ons and ...

... Location praise Equity is urging members to report venues and locations where working conditions are appalling, or better than average, in support of the performers' working condi tions campaign. I worked as a supporting artist for the Green Stripe Unit of Thames Television's The Bill at HMP Oxford recently, the prison is now de-commissioned, and used exclusively for television and film ...

... Victorian Violet 1 am researching the career of a famous Victorian actress called Violet Cameron and wonder whether any readers might have some information about her. One of her starring roles was in La Mascotte, a popular light opera of the period. I know that she died in Worthing in 1919 at the age of 56. If anyone can enlighten me about this actress I should be grateful to hear from them. ...

... On the lookout for precious Peers moments I am currently involved with research into the life, times and career of Donald Peers, having been a fan since the forties. Can anyone help with information concerning Donald Peers fan clubs or societies? Do any still exist and are there any addresses? Are there any tapes or record ings of his many radio and television shows available or copies of his ...