24 OCTOBER 1952, Page 18

Titillating Dramatic Critics

SIR,—Mr. Martin Cooper is indeed unfortunate in his choice of operas for the titillation of dramatic critics. Any -playgoer knows that as a play Traviata is an extremely watered down version of La Dante aux Cat-helias, though it is an admirable vehicle for Verdi's music. Tosca was one of Sardou's most rampant pot-boilers, written as a vehicle for Mrn,e. Bernhardt. Carmen is perhaps on safer ground, though the literary critic's pitch of excitement might disappoint Mr. Cooper. A dramatic critic visiting Traviata or Tosca would probably leave in a state similar to that in which Mr. Cooper left Porgy and Bess.—