... Pinter has no cause for celebration It was with great disappointment that I read your report on Harold Pinter (April 13. News, page 2). containing his comments upon new British playwrights and the state of the world. Here is a man who once had a great deal to say about a humanity which lived in fear, loathing and mystery, yet I always believed that his pointing out this state of ...

... Missed the Day Doris Day celebrated her 78th birthday on April 3 and I scanned the Radio Times, hoping to find a programme dedicated to her work, or at least one of her films. But there was no mention of her at all. And I wonder if the BBC has plans to dedicate a pro gramme to my ultra-favourite singer, the incomparable Peggy Lee. who will be 80 on May 26. I do not think I should hold my ...

... Please save us from this workshop hell Whatever happened to the single voice playwright? Are they not to be trusted anymore? There are people in this country who can write a play all on their own without the aid of a workshop. The most a new play wright can hope for now is a rehearsed reading, script in hand or a workshop. A play is not a play until the scripts go down and the actors inhabit ...

... Rolling back the theatrical years Although I am not a thespian. for many years I have been interested in all aspects of theatre history. From ancient Greece to today, the theatre has evolved in a most fascinating way. 1 have studied the origins of different parts of the theatre and how they came into existence. I am also interested in sayings that have their origins in the theatre, such as in ...

... Battle for TV variety is definitely being won Sorry to disappoint Setch Andersonn (Letters, May 25, page 7) but I have no intention of ending the campaign to get entertainers on television-especially now we are winning it. Channel 5's The Big Stage proved that a New Variety show could be fresh and exciting, even on a shoestring budget. I hope Jim Davidson Presents will make an even bigger ...

... Missed chance for theatre boost Now that the Millennium Dome has received the extra money it requested, that brings the total subsidy to £539 million. To generate the same amount in VAT revenue, the box office turnover would have had to have been more than £3.5 billion. Imagine the effect on theatre nationally if, instead of the Dome, VAT exemption for theatre had been created to celebrate the ...

... Bring distant family Toomey I am researching my family history and should be very grateful if anyone could help. I should like to find some one who could put me in touch with a family member of the late actor Regis Toomey, who died in Los Angeles in 1991. He appeared in many films, including The Big Sleep with Humphrey Bogart, and also TV series like Dante's Inferno and Burke's Law. We share ...

... Programme notes May I take advantage of the interest generated by the story headed 'RUG programmes will go in-house', (News, August 10, Front page) and make an appeal to all the publishers of theatre programmes. Like many members of the audience, I keep programmes of the shows I have seen (well over 3,000 in 45 years) to stimulate happy memories and provide a ready reference library. Again, ...

... Thankful as Fringe's spirit is freed at last John Cargill Thompson talks a lot of sense (Edinburgh Festival preview, August 3, page V). However, I think the commercialism of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has done artists a favour: it has released us from the shackles of finding £5.000-ptus to present ourselves to the world's media (alongside TV personalities with profes sional PR muscle). ...

... Stage frights How much do I want to see a stage adaptation of a successful American film when I could see it on video? The West End seems to be plagued with them this year. Baby Doll was followed by The Graduate, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest landed briefly at the Barbican (admittedly in its original play form) and The Witches of Eastwick have flown in as a musical. I see that we are now to ...

... Windmill play needs your assistance to come to life I am currently researching for a new play on the old Windmill Theatre in Piccadilly, and looking for information on performers during the period 1945 to 1949. I should like to hear any stories and anecdotes people may have of this era. I am also trying to get hold of the book We Never Closed, by Van Damm. If you have any more information ...

... Very poor show In response to an appeal by TAPS and the Screenwriters' Workshop, I should like to add my voice to the protest against the imminent closure of the Television Arts Performance Showcase. This country is already woefully lacking in resources and opportunities for writers and directors in the medium of television and film, a shortage which is reflected in some of the facile and ...