Sir, We understand that the Theatre Museum in London is to be reabsorbed back into its parent institution, the Victoria & Albert Museum with the archive and library accessible at another site in London (letters, Sept 27 and 30). This will be a backward step in the preservation and promotion of British performance heritage.

The director of the V&A, Mark Jones, has blamed the situation on lack of public funding, but any necessary cuts should be shouldered across the museum.

As well as the marvels that it houses, its library and archive, the museum has the bustle of London’s theatrical district all around it; the world it reflects is at its doorstep.

Britain and, in particular, London, has a unique place in world theatre. Thriving theatre museums can be found in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Finland, Portugal and the US. Perhaps it is time for the Theatre Museum to break away from its apparently neglectful parent and stand on its own. This would require the key funding bodies in the UK to wake up and recognise the importance of the museum to London, the UK and world heritage before it is too late.

CLAUDIA BLANK
Director,
Deutsches Theatermuseum, Munich

MARTIN DREIER
Director, Schweizerische Theatersammlung, Berne

INGA LEWENHAUPT
Director, Drottningholms/Sveriges Teatermuseum, Stockholm

WINRICH MEISZIES
Director, Theatermuseum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf

MACIEJ NOWAK
Director,
Polish Theatre Institute, Warsaw

THOMAS TRABITSCH
Director, Österreichisches Theatermuseum, Vienna

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