25 AUGUST 1973, Page 5

Busy Dexter

Sir: My attention has been drawn to Will Waspe's paragraph on page 224 of The Spectator of August 18.

am not much concerned with the implied suggestion of Mr Waspe's first, speculative paragraph even though the implication is totally inaccurate. What I would like to point out is that I did not" turn down "the opportunity to direct The Bacchae as I was at that time engaged in directing Peter Schaffer's play Equus. I did, however, support the production of T,ha Bacchae in Wok Soyinka's version and also the choice of director, and continue so to do.

During the happy period in which I have been associated with the National Theatre, 1 have been given leave to direct four operas in Hamburg, one in P, aris, one in America and one at SadTr's Wells Opera. I hope, in a continuing association with the National Theatre, to be given leave to recharge my batteries and finances with outside work whenever I find the opportunity creatively interesting. I would advise that in future Mr Waspe limits his column to fact.

John Dexter The National Threatre, The Archway, 10a Aquinas Street, London SE!