14 OCTOBER 1972, Page 30

Coloured actors

Sir: Will Waspe's comments (Spectator, September 2) on the use of coloured actors in the United Kingdom reminds me of the absurdities of the reverse situation in South Africa.

I recently saw a play in Johannesburg with an American setting. An important role was the ' comic ' Negro maid. In spite of the wealth of talented African actresses in this part of the world, the law insisted that this part had to be played by a white girl blacked up.

J. M. Wagol • The University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, Roma, Lesotho