Theatre advertising should be for all

WHILE the statement that the Garrick 'provides virtually no useful service' is exaggerated, I have some related concerns.

It would seem that unless there is some potential financial gain from activities, exhibitions such as the recent Lichfield School of Art foundation students show and the free Speakers' Corner Workshop do not warrant exterior advertising.

The students' exhibition, in the studio of the Garrick, did not even have a poster in this part of the building. There was a small poster inside near the box office, and some arrows, only.

The Speakers' Corner Workshop did not run with its expected complement of attendees, and only two or three sessions. Advertising was non-existent with a handful of leaflets on the tourist counter.

And, this was partly to promote the Speakers' Corner launch on May 2, the beginning of a project to benefit city residents and tourists.

I thought that the Garrick was a promoter of all arts activities, thus this lack of publicity does lend credence to the 'elitist' tag, with an over-emphasis on revenue.

If it does, indeed, successfully provide much-needed 'visitor spend', some of this should be spread around neighbourhoods. The Speakers' Corner activities will take place, not only at the designated site, but at other venues, for all, and certainly not elitist.

I suggest 'Class Crisis Org' makes use of the corner at Dam Street to air their views on a public stage to promote a wider discussion (and well advertised too!)

Lorna A Bushell, Lichfield.