WOW! Aren't we privileged to have a real, live theatre critic here in Ludlow, or are we?

Cllr Brian Griffith's letter about Ludlow Festival's A Winter's Tale in the Advertiser on July 3 quite amazed, and incidentally, insulted me.

I was one of those people who thoroughly enjoyed A Winter's Tale, and yes, I did understand it quite easily, as did the people sitting around me, and many others to whom I have since spoken.

We are not playing at being quasi-intellectuals, and Cllr Griffiths has no right to imply that of those who enjoyed it. Perhaps his own intellect is not quite up to understanding a lesser-known play, or to appreciating the qualities of a minimalist set, in which case he has absolutely no right to label the play drivel.

When Shakespeare is performed in modern dress on a minimalist set concentration is naturally directed towards the words and the quality of the direction and performance.

Both the direction and the acting were, in my humble opinion as a 50-year watcher of Shakespeare, excellent. I note that Ian Barge, a teacher of Shakespeare, also found the play excellent in every respect, and I do feel he is teacher more qualified to act as local dram critic than Cllr Griffiths.

I would also remind Cllr Griffiths that, as a councillor representing Ludlow, he should think very carefully before publicly rubbishing a Ludlow Festival production, or for that matter any local event.

He is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but should remember that The Advertiser and other local papers are read outside Ludlow, and this type of criticism, especially in the tone he has used, could cause great harm to the town and its event.

I hope that as a councillor he has the welfare of Ludlow and its events, which attract tourism (Ludlow's lifeblood), at heart and will therefore see my works of constructive criticism as in the town's best interest.

Patricia Hansen,

Station Drive,

Ludlow.