LUCY Stephens' review of It's A Madhouse by the Joseph Rowntree Players (March 4) nearly stopped us going.

Friday's performance was different from her stagnant review. The slow speed she complained about was the artistry of the script painting in the shades of those imprisoned, one going for freedom and the one who could not face freedom.

All this beauty was lost on your 'imprisoned' reviewer. Had she prejudged from the title it was to be a farce and so produced a farce of a review?

The acting was superb, the performances riveting with the nurse giving a "normal" performance against the many manic and tortured portrayals. I have seen this play before, but never done better than this.

Mrs P A Abbey,

Parkfield,

Stillington, York.

Updated: 09:38 Friday, March 11, 2005