Adam Trimingham's fascinating feature on the Brighton Hippodrome (Weekend, April 7) must have brought back happy memories to many Argus readers over a certain age.

To think that thousands of people used to flock there every week to see such legendary names as Laurel and Hardy, Max Miller and even The Beatles.

Now the same number of people go to see a completely different attraction: 90 plastic balls with a different number on each, whizzing around a big glass cabinet. How times have changed.

As Adam stated, August bank holiday weekend is the theatre's centenary as the Brighton Hippodrome.

Is Mecca planning any special events or entertainment to celebrate the occasion?

Wouldn't it be nice, just as a one-off, to have a good nostalgic variety show there again?

It has been done before - since the changeover to bingo - and Anne Shelton, Frankie Vaughan and Jimmy Cricket have all appeared.

Coincidentally, one of the last great stars of variety is coming here towards the end of August from his home in New Zealand: Ronnie Ronalde, who topped the bill several times at the Hippodrome in the Fifties with his unforgettable singing and whistling.

To see one of the greatest variety stars in one of the country's greatest variety theatres would be an unforgettable experience on this special occasion.

Just for once, let bingo take a back seat. How about it?

-Gerald Oxley, Selborne Road, Hove