I WAS glad to see your article of June 5 about the launch of the Marlborough Riverbank theatre project.

With the impressive list of local dignitaries, including Michael and Lady Jane Ancram, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sir Maurice Johnston, Michael Havers, Rosie and Robert Hill and many more including Waitrose, the project should succeed.

The design concept and location seem right.

My family have shared allegiances between the Yorkshire Pennines and Wiltshire for more than 40 years, now I spent most time in the latter.

I was one of the founders of the Yorkshire Music Society which started by putting on shows at stately homes.

Then we bought a former circus big top for the 50th anniversary for the War in Europe celebrations.

In parallel we have supported the jazz festivals at Marlborough, Upton, Teignmough, Bath, Cheltenham etc.

Over the years I have visited more than 500 theatres within reasonable distances of Marlborough.

I have taken a close interest in the Corn Exchange, Devizes, Watermill Newbury, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare, Malvern Regent Theatre, Christchurch, Chipping Norton, Brewery and Arts Centre and Sundial Theatre Cirencester, the Mill Restaurant Theatre, Sonning, Theatre Royal Bath. There are many others too numerous to mention.

However the vibrant shopping centre in Marlborough and the way residents back local events supports the belief that the new theatre will be a success.

I believe that to go into the Riverbank Theatre with the idea of the seating capacity being the lowest possible of 300 will be a major error of judgement.

On Saturday night I went to the Regent Theatre, Christchurch, to see the Gipsy Baron by Johann Strauss. The seating capacity was 475.

Whilst writing this letter I have carried out an opinion poll with small theatres within one and a half hours' drive of Marlborough to ascertain their views as to the correct capacity for the new Riverside Theatre. It should be 550.

The most knowledgeable and helpful was Andy Jeffrys at the Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare.

If the current proposals are not changed the Marlborough theatre and its clients will not see the household names and rely on sponsors and subsidies which means it is setting off on the wrong footing.

At 550 perhaps Britain's number one comedian may drop in, Ken Dodd. Best wishes to the project, but more seats needed please.

ERIC VAWSER

Yorkshire Music Society

Malmesbury