Letter: National treat

Sir: Someone had to produce a thin scream of agony at the fact that the National Theatre is managing to delight those theatregoers who leap spontaneously to their feet at the end of each performance of Guys and Dolls, entranced by a production which only someone wedded to the idea of drama as misery could fail to enjoy.

The National is doing what it should be doing - producing a mixture of classic and modern productions and sometimes taking chances with work which may come a cropper. Julian Mitchell ("Losing the plot at the National Theatre", 21 December) demands a "marvellous new play".

My own impression is that the National Theatre demands this, too; finding it is, however, not as easy as Mr Mitchell supposes.

DEREK PARKER

London W14