Sir, I agree with Trevor Nunn in criticising Andrew Lloyd Webber for his participation in reality TV (report, Aug 31).
If the main intent of the producers of these shows is to find a star then to date they would appear to have been unsuccessful. Winning one of these shows is reliant on the most public responses and the result is an insipid winner.
Human beings seem to enjoy witnessing distress and this is what these shows pander to.The argument that “millions of people are tuning in every Saturday night” is rather facile; the public showed the same willingness to attend the atrocities at the Colosseum during the Roman Empire.
GEOFF GREENWOOD
Colwyn Bay
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Sir, Why does Andrew Lloyd Webber have to scrape the bottom of the barrel when searching for his Maria in the forthcoming production of The Sound of Music? We in the United Kindgom have a wealth of talented young professional artists fully trained in musical theatre.
I regard throwing open a role as important as this to untrained and mostly untalented performers as nothing short of obscene.
GILLIAN ROYALE
Equity member
London SW11