... 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 ...

... Handley's house As a postscript to the Heydays feature (October 26) on Tommy Handley, can 1 add that the Liverpool-born come dian was commemorated by the Greater London Council with a Blue Plaque on the side of a small block of flats in Craven Road. Paddington. It states quite simply: Tommy Handley 1 892- 1 949) Radio Comedian Lived Here. Kevin Henriques Carroll House Craven Terrace London ...

... Questions of patronage In Theatre Record, Ian Herbert wrote: The Arts Council Annual Report has arrived, a wasteful three sections in a criminally wasteful silver slip-case. In the council's 1962/3 report, the various schemes for subsidising drama required me to include an analysis of how each company's total had been calculated. Accordingly, I listed the annual grants, the guarantees ...

... Cooking up further controversy I am writing to express my outrage at Ollie Wilson's article 'Backlash can't white wash comedy' (January 20, Broadcasting feature, page 28) about the comic character AliG. With phrases like: In my opinion, Ali G is no more offensive than Lenny Henry's performance in the BBC series Chef, in which a black man played a black man pretending to be a white chef, he ...

... 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 ...

... Desperately seeking Dandy nease can anyone neip me I am hoping to trace a long lost relative of mine Dandy Danial. He was known in showbusiness circles as Mr Dandy and is a member of the Bebe Daniels music hall and circus family. During the late forties Dandy was the straight man with Robert Brothers Stage Circus and in the early fifties worked as principal clown with Billy Smart's Circus with ...

... Elizabeth's love Ex-members of the Rapier Players and the Arthur Brough Players may like to know that my wife Elizabeth Grandage is now in residential nursing care. She remains cheerful in adversity and sends good wishes to you all. Eric Tripp Norbury Crescent Norbury London Heydays letters can also be found on The Stage's Web site at: www.thestage.co.uk ...

... Grand to find out details I am researching my family history and have records of my great-grandparents having appeared as professional stage artists. It seems that they mainly worked in the Yorkshire and Lancashire areas under the names of Fred Granville (comedian, entertainer, mimic and voice illusionist) and Marie Osborne (character istic serio-comic, Lancashire and American song and dance ...

... What became of favourites? I am looking for recent news or information about the following stage and screen actresses of the thirties and forties: Anne Grey (once married to actor Lester Matthews), Eve Amber, who was also known as Eve Ashley, Australian Judy Kelly, Beatrix Feilden-Kaye (who was in several George Formby films), Merle Tottenham, Jeanette Tregarthen, Yolande Terrell, Renee Clama, ...

... 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 ...

... Don't let this writers' scheme fall from the perch Your article highlighting the cash crisis facing TAPS engendered in me feelings of anger, frustration and disbelief. TAPS searches out, nurtures and promotes new writing talent, because it recognises the industry's need for such talent. Is there perhaps a mis guided belief among some sections of the industry that writers do not need ...

... Memories of family's actors I am researching my family history and wondered whether any readers might have information about my great-grandfather William Edwin Blatchley (1852 to 1890). I understand that he was an actor in Beerbohn Tree's company, and I should be interested to find out about his time there and at any other companies. I should also like to find out about some cousins, William ...