2 SEPTEMBER 1966, Page 15

A Word in Your Ear .

SIR,—Hilary Spurling's notice (August 26) of Public and Confidential, the play by Benn Levy, could easily have come from the popular daily press in the 'fif- ties, when a group of critics competed for the dis- tinction of writing the most offensive and personally wounding reviews.

1 have not seen or read Mr Levy's play, and both he and it can look after themselves: but I imagine I am not alone in feeling dismayed that the SPECTATOR should encourage a critic whose style and method seem to be those of a poison pen letter-writer. FRANK HAUSER

The Playhouse. Oxford