I could not help but be amazed to read in your paper that a concert to raise money for the new Kingston Theatre was to cost £18 a ticket and you have to take your own food.

Is it any wonder British theatre is getting a reputation for exclusively indulging the social elite when you see things like this?

In my days as a professional actor, part of our job would be to go into surrounding villages to give free shows to attract people to our season of weekly plays.

The organisers of Kingston Theatre should come to Malden Manor or Canbury Gardens or to Chessington or Tolworth and persuade council flat residents like me that there is something in this expensive luxury for all of us.

DAVID JACK' STANLEY

Sheephouse Way

New Malden

July 11, 2002 16:00