HOW nice it was to return to the Swan and enjoy The Pirates of Penzance by the highly-talented Great Witley players.

I live in hope that the theatre might return to the heady days of the 60s, before amateurs were turfed out.

It was as a result of being amateur that The Swan was able to attract and pay for world-class artists.

I well remember Andr Segovia playing a Sunday evening and fondly remember Randolph Sutton appearing in one of Duncan Wheldon's music halls.

We even saw Libby Morris, straight from the USA, appear in Salad Days. There were wonderful evenings of Gilbert & Sullivan sung by Sadlers Wells stars ably supported by local choirs.

Best of luck to everybody connected with the new Swan management.

N K CHANCE,

Severn Stoke,

Worcestershire.