MAY I add to your front page article and editorial comment regarding smoking during our production of Abigail's Party as printed in Wednesday's LT.

We were led to believe that there is no requirement for amateur or professional groups, or the theatre where they are performing, to ask for an assessment from the local council for permission to smoke on stage.

We are recommended that the question of smoking has to be adjudged as to whether it is "integral to the plot".

Our club, the play's director, and anyone knowing the plot of "Abigail's Party" will fully accept that smoking, and the level of smoking, is an essential element of this play set in the 1970s.

If a decision is required from our local council, are we to be assured that they are of sufficient literary competence to make such a decision? Evidently environmental health managers might need to acquire further qualifications in English literature in order to perform their jobs to the required standard, surely an unfair imposition.

Another important matter to consider, is that a Performing Licence is required before a play can be performed, to keep the author's copyright inviolate, and this licence includes several conditions, one of which is "No one shall make any changes in this play for the purposes of production".

For not complying with any of these conditions, not inconsiderate fines can be imposed. It would seem then, that the club is between a rock and a hard place!

What this occurrence also highlights is that much clearer interpretation of the English law (it is different in Scotland) on smoking on stage must be produced for all to see, so no confusion or mistakes will be made in future.

As a spokeswoman for the Department of Health said in May this year, "There is no requirement under the law for theatres to have warning signs but it is up to the theatre to decide.

"There is no warning that there is a murder or rape on stage but there could be if there is a cigarette"!

Eric Nolan Secretary, Blackburn Drama Club