In this open letter to Lawrence Till, Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre, a reader sums up the views of a number of people who have contacted the BEN.

We invite Mr Till to reply in this newspaper. WITH regard to the Octagon's problems, I felt compelled to write to express my and many other people's views.

I and my friends love a night out at the theatre, but I think it is about three or four years since I last watched a production at the Octagon. Every season I obtain a pamphlet and look with dismay at the offerings for the coming months, then I look at Oldham Coliseum and my spirits are lifted and we book up.

Please, Mr Lawrence Till, we the public do not need to be patronised by the arty-set deciding we need to be "educated" or "made to think". If I require such pastimes I shall enrol at night school!

Life for many people is gloomy enough without paying for the privilege of being depressed. When I go for a social night out I wish to leave the theatre with a smile on my face and laugh in my heart.

At this point, a special mention must be made for the excellent productions at both Farnworth and Bolton Little Theatres, and Mr Till could well learn from them and the other many excellent amateur societies around the region, who go out of their way to please the public.

Mrs Maureen Barker

Wilkinson Avenue, Little Lever

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.