SIR, —So much nonsense has been written recently about the previous
regime at the Ohl Vic that the opportunity to comment on it given by Mr. Gas- coigne's article is irresistible.
I worked there for four years as Director of
its ugly head—unless it was the apathy that arli duced and invited Zeffirelli to direct his firs Shakespeare play. Whilst acknowledging the great success of Romeo, Mr. Gascoigne forgets the general apathy of the London critics (with one notable ea; ception) after its first night. This exception, coupled with the unbiased enthusiasm of the American ar Music and was never conscious of 'apathy' raisi." European critics, has given the production Ill
,,I legend.
It is natural to expect the Old Vic to be judged by the highest standards, and I was interested there' fore to see that, after approving the changes, Mr. Gascoigne then proceeded to give Peer Gynt exactiy the sort of review that other successful productions in the past seemed fated to receive : a qualified 00: But Romeo was only one of several successful ! productions, all of them mounted within the grind ing framework of the repertory system. Any theatre that can boast of productions such as St. .."1"„' Mary Stuart (1958), The Magistrate, What Evei' Woman Knows, Twelfth Night, and Mourning ,, comes Electra need feel no shame.
JOHN LAMBERT
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