... What good gay actors give SIR, May I endorse what your correspondent wrote concerning man agements not casting gay actors in leading gay roles. Recently I saw Martin Sheen in The Normal Heart. He gave a deeply emo tional performance which was spoiled for me by his acting 'camp'. The prissy head movements and the loose hipped walk were that of a heterosexual imitat ing a gay. In One of Us at ...

... A 30 year old producer at Tyne Tees has won a travel bursary to study broadcast ing in Canada. Paul Black, a producer on the network religious programme Highway, will be going to Toronto for five weeks from July. The award is worth up to £4,500 and is made by the Commonwealth Rela tions Trust. Each year the Trust offers three bursaries to broadcasters from the BBC and independent sector to ...

... 'Just take a look at our reviews' Following strong criticisms of Peter Schaufuss' treatment of Festival Ballet dancers and staff, the Chairman says SIR,--I would be grateful for the opportunity to reply to the two articles you have recently published about London Festival Ballet (Aug 29 and Sept 12). Peter Schaufuss was appointed arti- sitc director of London Festival Ballet in September 1984 ...

... Beating the drum Sir, 1 found the article on Ralph Koltai (September 17) both interesting and provocative. But there is one factual inaccuracy which should not go uncor- rected and it concerns the National Theatre's Olivier drum revolve. It is totally incorrect to say that nobody has succeeded in activating the equip ment. On the contrary it has been used successfully as a revolve in three ...

... Dip into the good digs guide Sir Finding good digs is a problem which confronts everybody in the pro fession. For those who work in rep and touring theatre, it's a continuing strug gle. Overworked theatre administra tions do their best, but their lists are often years out of date and not as informative as might be wished. What is clearly needed is a nationwide index of recommended digs. In ...

... 'Don't cast doubt on this basic need' SIR--Amongst the AGM reports in The Stage, April 16, you said that I proposed Equity set up its own self-financing casting service. In fact I did nothing of the sort. Equity cannot and must not involve itself in the process of casting. What I proposed was a union financed casting information service as practised in America. When I was a deputy with the ...

... A fitting award for those Aussie 'good' Neighbours S1K What a splendid idea of INick Scon, to have a Crap Awards ^M Presentation Ceremony, for 'iffy' television programmes. Without hesitation my nomination is for Neighbours it has ^H everything. Every young actor, budding writer, and aspiring producer, should be made to watch this amalgam of horror, just ^^1 to see how not to act, write or ...

... Showing signs of concern SIR,--It was with some amusement that I read James Murray's letter (February 15) regarding the proposed production of Bernadette al The Dominion Theatre, London, and comments attributed to your contributor Tabard in a recent issue of The Stage. 1 never cease to oe amazed at tne reaction of anyone concerned with a production of a show that would appear to be something ...

... Time for action SIR, I enjoyed Ian Flirtoffs excel lent article in the Stage May 31 But he is a little bit out of touch with regard to his view of the Equity council. I was elected to the council four years ago and in that time have learnt a great deal. Inclined to think along the same lines as Mr Flintoff, I have been greatly surprised and impressed by the sheer dedication and hard work of ...

... ATV opportunity for stage hopefuls SIR, FLYMAN'S article (October 6) prompts me to remind those waiting in the wings that the opportunity to direct might well lie with the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme, about to enter its 29th year. Many of today's leading directors Trevor Nunn, Michael Rudman, Ken neth Loach among them would confirm that this ITV Scheme offers a useful training in ...

... Fighting support for the arthritis appeal SIR, Earlier this year you were kind enough to print my letter of January 25 in your letters page. As a result several showbusincss personalities suffering from arthritis contacted (is offering their support. I would like the opportunity to thank these people publically through your column for coming forward to tell people what arthritis means to them ...

... Nightmare end to the Round House dream SIR,-- Having worked in Camden and been a regular at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, in its 'salad days' of entertainment, I have watched (and waited) with interest for the opening of the new Black Arts Centre at the Round House. The young man who was appointed to bring the new black arts centre at the Round House on stream has been vilified in the press on ...