Sir, - May I protest through your columns at the decision to axe Theatre Nights, presented by Kevin Hough on Sunday evening on RTE Radio 1?
The Association of Irish Musical Societies represents almost 120 musical societies in Ireland, North and South. The musicals presented each year by our member societies are seen by over 500,000 people. About 12,000 of our members are engaged in these presentations, either on stage or in production.
Theatre Nights regularly featured a musical performed by our member societies throughout Ireland. These broadcasts were exceptionally popular not only among our members but among the listening public at large. In the past few weeks I have been inundated with calls and e-mails expressing dismay. The programme also gave much needed public exposure to individual musical societies and to musical theatre generally. It was in fact, the sole exposure given to musical theatre by national television and radio.
We strongly urge RTE to reinstate this popular programme without delay. We also thank Kevin Hough for his tireless work on behalf of musical theatre. He was the lone voice who regularly proclaimed: "There's no business like show business". - Yours, etc.,
Alice Hughes, National Regional PRO Association of Irish Musical Societies, Fitzroy Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 3.