CAN anyone explain why the film Merchant of Venice, released December 04, has not been shown on Swindon's screens.

With 19 screens it seems odd. Do the cinema chiefs believe Shakespeare would be over our heads?

Saying that, the plot does allude to sex and violence. So what is the problem?

P J MILLS

Morris Street

Rodbourne

Swindon

Adver film writer Stephen Webb said: "This issue is a constant source of annoyance for Swindon's more discerning filmgoers. It is down to the programmers at the head offices rather than the cinemas themselves as they book the films and decide what they think the people of Swindon would like to see, depending on what else is released at that time. Obviously they did not consider The Merchant Of Venice was something that would pull in the punters that week, which is a great pity."