On Friday, February 22, I went to the Theatre Royal, Brighton, to see Alan Bennett's comedy play, Single Spies.

On entering the foyer, I purchased a small box of chocolates.

Half the sweets were wrapped in silver foil. Uppermost in my mind was that this would diminish the sound of rustling sweet papers in consideration of other theatregoers.

At the end of the first act, I was with the remark from the gentleman in front of me: "Could you stop what you are doing? It's terribly distracting."

Twenty seconds later, I was met with further abuse from the lady to my left, who agreed with the gentleman.

My immediate reaction was to move four rows back, only to be met with more abuse from the gentleman to my right, with the words: "I hope you are not going to sit there."

My evening was not marred by these petty-minded people. We live in a democratic society and it was my right to go to the theatre and to be able to enjoy myself.

This episode will not stop me from going to the Theatre Royal again. The staff were very pleasant and helpful.

-P R Edwards, Falmer Road, Woodingdean