... SIR-- It is splendid that the Prime Minister and Mrs Wilson are encouraging an interest in children's theatre, but I see no cause for the inordinate rejoicing of your leading article. Even the reception held at No. 10 seems to have a sobering message cnat it is quite out of the question to expect official financial support for this cause. True there is a lot of activity in drama with children, ...

... SIR,-- The Arts Council Report Regional Activities in the United Kingdom is full of useful statistics, but fails in my view to give encouragement to Arts Associations and local authorities outside London to spend money on these twin Arts. For example, Page 43 of the Report Regional Activities is not a report on Regional Activities.. It is a treatise on the siting of opera houses outside ...

... Sheffield Lyceum SIR,--The following facts concerning the future of the Lyceum, Sheffield, may be of interest to you. A 17,000 signature petition to Sheffield Corporation has been referred to the Policy Com mittee and a recommendation is expected in the near future. Apart from the petition, the local press have forwarded to the City Council nearly two thousand letters from readers concerning ...

... LETTERS to the Editor of TELEVISION TODAY The Editor reserves the rigKt to reduce letters for reasons of space If readers wish ihetr letters to be printed in full or not at all, they should say so Letters not for publication should be clearly marked. Names and addresses may be withheld at the Editor s discretion ...

... Play was completely misunderstood Dear Sir, I am writing to protest about the criticism of Rhapsody for Misplaced Persons by Char lotte Bingham and Terence Brady in Television Today, January 1. I think that Jose phine Haworth has completely misunderstood both the charac ter of Victoria, and the ending of the play. She states that the relationship folded when it turned out that he had ordinary ...

... Infiltration Sir, I believe I have read that a condition of acceptance by Equity, of any would be member, is that the candidate should be qualified as to professional training or, and, experience. In view of the numerous people in entertain ment who have been taken straight from office and work shop callings, and these are more than numerous, at the behest of some influential per son already ...

... Scropbook Sir, I wonder if, through your pages, I may seek assis tance with a documentary I am preparing? I am at the moment gathering together material for, so to speak, a stage Scrapbook of the years 1939 and 1940, emphasising the conditions and experience of the civilian popu lation. I shall, of course, be making reference to the songs and the entertainment of the period. I wonder if there ...

... Shakespeare and Orton SIR, Might I add to R. B. Marriott's most comprehensive survey of 1969 theatrical treats the brave Troilus and Cres- sida at the Aldwych and Joe Orion's inspired-lunacy What the Butler Saw at the Queens. Posterity will, I trust, judge Orton's last effort more kindly than today's critics Yours faithfullv, CHRIS VIVEASH 142 Beech Avenue, Swindon, Wilts. ...

... Royal Ballet questions SIR,--Congratulations on your plain speaking editorial on the present crises in the Royal Ballet and Sadler's Wells Opera organisations. Several points, however, still need to be made. 1. The total loss incurred by the entire Royal Opera House organisation 1968/69 was £23,328. So why is this economy of £100,000 necessary now? (Though those responsible have carefully ...

... Frank Matcham Sir, I should be very grate ful for information any of your readers might have on the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham (1852-1920). Yours truly. SEAN MCCARTHY, 23 Port Hall Street, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 5PJ. ...

... Ellen Terry SIR, I am currently prepar ing a book for publication on the life of Ellen Terry. May I, through the medium of your columns, ask for any information your readers may be able to furnish on this subject. Any documents sent to me will be cared for and returned immediately. Yours faithfully, JOHN McCABE 8 May Road, Rochester, Kent. ...

... Theatre Machine Sir, I don't think your critic will every enjoy the work of the Theatre Machine if he expects our pop-entertainments to add up to a dramatically satisfying evening, any more than he'd expect to get the best out of a wrestling match if he arrived with that attitude. Still, he did have the courtesy to report that the audience enjoyed the show. What I take issue with is the ...