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Fondly remembered

I thought George Hall’s obituary for David Blewitt was absolutely spot on (The Stage, February 2, page 45). I knew him from the early 1980’s when I was beginning my career in the chorus of Opera North (the then English National), and over the years his loyalty and friendship knew no bounds. My favourite comment when referring to his review of a particularly ‘stinking’ operatic production was: “I’m afraid I put the boot in”. I shall miss him dreadfully, but my goodness, what fun we had together!

Published on Thursday February 9 2012 at 15:42

Fulsome disagreement

Forgive my tardiness in replying to Michael Walters’ strange letter (Stage Talk, December 15, page 7) questioning my use of “fulsome” in relation to your obituary of Sir Jimmy Savile.

Published on Thursday February 9 2012 at 15:38

Credit checking

It is good to see Matthew Hemley highlight the general dissatisfaction there is regarding the showing of credits on TV programmes, especially dramatic ones (The Stage, February 2, page 4).

Published on Thursday February 9 2012 at 15:36

Reduction of members

I am delighted that Equity is finally biting the bullet and now seriously considering reducing the number of council members (The Stage, February 2, page 5). Having previously been on council (for four years) I know just how difficult it was getting any semblance of order.

Published on Thursday February 9 2012 at 15:34

Few opportunities for actors

Doremy Vernon (Stage Talk, February 2, page 8) points out that there are some 35,000 actors and actresses advertising in the Spotlight casting directories.

Published on Thursday February 9 2012 at 15:30

Fair representation for all

Regional house managers are part of the Theatrical Management Association. But when house managers in the West End approached TMA they were told that they could not join. So West End house managers are not represented by any organisation. Actors have Equity, technicians are represented by Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) and producers may be included in Society of London Theatre although many have been rejected. But West End theatre managers have not been allowed to become part of any organisation - not that they want to be represented by a union, but many would like to be associated with some organisation for the sake of equality within the performing arts.

Published on Thursday February 9 2012 at 15:22

Lazy portrayals of magicians

The review of the musical Big Society (The Stage, January 26, page 18) mentions, among the cast recreating the bill of a music hall, a “duff magician”. It’s sad (but interesting) that so many writers for stage and screen can’t think of any comedy to work with the character of a magician besides making him (usually) inept, frequently killing their birds or rabbits in a show. (Among its numerous factual errors, 2006’s film The Prestige suggested that even competent conjurors of a century ago would readily perform tricks that would have fatal results for the livestock.)

Published on Thursday February 2 2012 at 17:29

Worthwhile use of funding?

My reaction on reading your article Back from the Brink (The Stage, January 26, pages 6-7) was to wonder whether staging (among other things) three musicals and a Terence Rattigan revival at Chichester Festival Theatre last summer was a justifiable use of a £1.5 million Arts Council England grant.

Published on Thursday February 2 2012 at 17:27

Support for members

It is brilliant that you’ve written such a great article about Equity’s recent survey (The Stage, January 26, page 1). This survey came about because of the work of Equity’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Committee, composed of ordinary Equity members like myself. In other words, a grass-roots initiative wonderfully supported by the union.

Published on Thursday February 2 2012 at 17:25

Working Title’s bad deal for workers

Les Miserables - one of the most successful musicals of all time - is now going to be made into a film. Last year theatre productions made over £25 million. I wonder how much Les Miserables has generated over the decades it’s been in production?

Published on Thursday February 2 2012 at 17:21

Rejoicing as Bill is passed

I still can’t quite believe it, but very soon it will no longer be a criminal offence to entertain a roomful of people without having to obtain a licence from the authorities. The Live Music Bill, which passed its third reading in the House of Commons on January 20, will soon put an end to the most spiteful piece of killjoy law since Cromwell abolished Christmas.

Published on Thursday February 2 2012 at 17:15

Sound levels must be reviewed

I have, somewhat belatedly, just come across the letters regarding the loud sound levels in the West End musicals.

Published on Thursday January 26 2012 at 13:07

Top school’s low pay

I feel it is a great shame that the Music Theatre Academy should have been awarded School of the Year in the Stage 100 Awards 2012 (The Stage, January 5, page 19), as it is an organisation that feels it is appropriate to flout UK law on the national minimum wage by advertising jobs in technical/wardrobe/stage management for £150 per week. One such advert for an ASM is currently on StageJobsPro.

Published on Thursday January 26 2012 at 13:00

Let’s stop bogus fees

I refer to The Stage online news story, dated January 4 2012: “ASA censures Castingallstars.com for misleading ad”. The advert appeared in this newspaper back in July 2011. It will come as no surprise to the readership that the agency website has now disappeared. Who was running the agency? Well, without agency licensing, we will never know. No doubt they will set up another agency and place further advertisements. A complaint was made to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate in July but, of course, the EAS never replied.

Published on Thursday January 26 2012 at 12:56

West is out of touch

Quoting Matt Hemley in his interview with Samuel West (The Stage, January 12, page 20): “He heard South African actors complain they had been in things they did not like, prompting West to ask them why they did them. ‘They said there is not enough work to be able to choose so you have to do what come up’. West explains, ‘That made me realise we are lucky in this country there is enough work to be able to choose, but not always.”

Published on Thursday January 26 2012 at 12:54