Madam, - When we strip off our clothes, all we have is our bodies, our voices, our senses. Sports, music, story-telling and drama were therefore essentials when this country was stripped of money and ownership.
Therefore, the government must not drain prosperous Ireland of any creative platform. On the contrary, it is Ireland's obligation to live up to the average European standard of state-funded arts education. The Netherlands, my home country, has five public drama academies and another 65 actor training courses, contributing to a lively, cutting-edge theatre scene.
Long before I came to Ireland I knew about the Trinity degree in acting studies (BAS). And it was more than bliss to be offered a place on such a renowned and attractive course. I implore the Government to step in, bypass this parochial decision-making and give this unique course a proper place in Irish society. - Yours, etc,
MAUD HENDRICKS, (3rd-year BAS student), Hamilton Street, Dublin 8.