21 NOVEMBER 1992, Page 36

Boob of the year

Sir: Thank you for the finest howler seen in many a year: the spelling of the name of the mistress of Louis XIV, as perpetrated not once! no mere printer's error! — sever- al times in Bryan Robertson's review of Esther (Arts, 7 November). The puns it gives rise to are half the fun . . . 'Pas ce soir, Maintenant!'

I showed it to my poor father in hospital, who is not at all well, and it brought a smile to his lips; even the stern-faced matron could scarce forbear to cheer, while the ward orderlies positively rocked. Let us hope for many more such creative errors.

Angela Lambert

Flat 4, 15 Collingham Road, London SW5