... Supporting role The Arts Council of England was surprised to read your story regarding RSC residencies (News, October 19. page 4). The stabilisation prog ramme offers considerable support to companies and enables them to go through organisational change. It has already given substantial help to the RSC. It is important to stress that the stabilisation plan is a strategy for change that is ...

... Shadwell search I am writing an article about the Restoration playwright Thomas Shadwell. There was a revival of his play Epsom Wells at the Thorndike Theatre in 1969. I wonder if any readers have any photographs from that production (or any other Shadwell play) which could be used for publication? If so, perhaps they would be kind enough to contact me as soon as possible? Victoria Manthorpe ...

... Keep Little Angel flying I read with anxious interest about the possibility of the Towngate Theatre, Basildon, reopening its doors after a forced hiatus of two years. (News, October 12, page 4). I worked at the Towngate as a technician from the opening day more than ten years ago and went back for a second term when it reopened again six years ago. It has closed its doors twice now, both times ...

... Promoting tales of the outrageous I am interested in hearing from anyone who has worked on any kind of promotional/canvassing or marketing event, where things have either gone embarrass ingly or disastrously wrong the more outrageous and funnier the story the better. I should greatly appreciate your time and help. MW Plimshire yj bt John s unve Earlsfield London SW18 4UW ...

... Job adverts could be a good sign I attended the recent SPIT (Signed Performance in Theatre) conference in Derby, and while chatting during breaks, it soon became apparent to me that many venues have problems in recruiting sign language interpreters. It then occurred to me that I cannot recall ever seeing an advertisement for our services or (new idea!) an audition call. I should have thought ...

... On the hunt for any items of relative value I write in the hope that your readers may be able to assist me in finding out about the career of my great grandfather Ernest Reginald Allen. His professional career ran from about 1900 to 1935 and he was a very good actor, according to some family members, who played at many London theatres. I have some old scripts and theatre bills that show he was ...

... Does anyone have de Marney mementos? I am researching the actor, director and producer Derrick de Marney (1906-1978) and should appreciate hearing from anyone with anything at all: photographs, programmes, stills, reminiscences from anyone knowing or working with him. I am also seeking confirmation of a possible autobiography which was written sometime in the fifties B Peck M13 Wild Street ...

... Moss Empires connections Can anybody supply me with information on the many acts that played the Moss Empires Circuit, especially the Glasgow Empire? Any information or dates when they appeared at the Glasgow Empire would be very much appreciated. This is for an ongoing project on the Glasgow Empire which closed in 1963, to be demolished to make way for an office block. Bob Bain by ...

... Living on site is the place to be When the Arts Council of Great Britain first considered the application for Housing the Arts funds for the building of the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in 1958 it was attracted by the inclusion in the plans of living dation for artists on site. In the event, many actors opted to live outside the city as they wanted to be right away from the theatre during ...

... Nothing but a Hollyjoke After reading Hollyoaks executive producer Phil Redmond's excuse of how little talent there is in the industry (News, July 13, page 3). when looking to justify the reasons why his Mersey Television Company could use only tour oi tne estimated 40.000 people who auditioned for Hollyoaks, I begin to fill with anger. Does he seriously believe that by inviting the ...

... Mr Blobby keeps bobbing about 1 should like to express my sin cere admiration to Mr Blobby for his hectic schedule of work this Christmas. Apart from appearing in pantomime at Wimbledon and Northampton. he is headlining Treasure Island at the Pavilion, Glasgow. In the face of the severe weather conditions and disruption on the railways, this must be an almost superhuman achievement. Jenny ...

... Flyman hit the mark over CSMs Thank you, Flyman (Flyman, November 9, page 31). I was once that hapless CSM trying to 'play poker' with resident SMs over the get-out money during the Tuesday. It was horrible! But it is a truth that the labourer is worthy of his hire. I regularly read and hear of producing managements and production managers despairing of being able to secure experienced stage ...