I WAS interested to read the letter from Eric Vawser in the Gazette (July 3) in which he voiced his opinion on local theatres.

May I suggest that he revises his fact sheet. The Wharf Theatre, at Devizes, is a voluntary organisation and has been running successfully at its present site for 23 years. It stages eight productions a year along with hosting professional companies.

Our productions range from Shakespeare, Ibsen, Ayckbourn and Hare to musicals such as Oliver and Little Shop of Horrors.

These shows are produced using local talent of an extremely high standard and we are proud to be recognised as a non-professional theatre offering top quality entertainment. We have a support crew and a front of house set up that is the envy of many smaller theatres.

The Wharf Theatre auditorium has a 96-seat capacity and our productions run for seven days. This being increased to eight next season to accommodate the demand for seats.

We play consistently to full houses and in the last year three productions have been sold out before first night and the remainder have been sold out by the middle of the run.

We would be delighted to welcome Mr Vawser to our theatre but he may like to take advantage of our membership scheme to be assured of a seat.

MERRILY POWELL

Devizes