Handbags at the Abbey

Madam, - While delighted to read Colm Quilligan's opinion of the all-male casting of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Abbey (July 29th), I am sad for him that he will not afford himself the undoubted pleasure of witnessing the play at first hand.

I wonder if he would have restrained himself in the same fashion when Miss Fiona Shaw portrayed the role of Richard II or indeed when Miss Sarah Bernhardt gave the world her Hamlet? - Yours etc,

ALAN STANFORD,

c/o Abbey Theatre,

Dublin 1.