THE most prominent letter in Your Letters (March 10) was the letter concerning the member of the audience who requested Timothy West to speak up.

While not necessarily agreeing with this approach, sometimes it is very difficult to hear actors when seated near the back. In the past I have had difficulty in hearing Timothy West in Malvern, although I have heard him very clearly in other theatres.

Recently, relatives found equal difficulty in hearing Ken Dodd.

This letter has prompted me to write because I am very keen on the theatre but of late I have been reluctant to buy tickets because of the difficulty in hearing. The provision of earphones is not an acceptable alternative. Is this a problem suffered by others, and if so, is there a solution?

Another problem I find with the main theatre is the temperature air conditioning control. I realise that this is very subjective but I don't believe that the installed system meets with the original requirements. A full house generates a lot of heat. The theatre is one of Malvern's greatest assets.

GERRY WILLS, Cherry Tree Drive, Fruitlands, Malvern.