Mr Keston (Letters, May 25) is, of course, correct in saying that the Theatre Royal pantomime is a tradition at Christmas time for many families.

However, the figures he quotes concerning prices etc do not address the main issue.

These are the facts: never before have we been unable to buy any tickets at concessionary rates for the whole of the popular period which extends this year from December 13 to January 4.

Here is an example.

A party of 11, including four adults, five children, one pensioner and one disabled person last year paid £126.25 for seats in the stalls.

The same party this year would have to pay £192.50 for the same seats - out of their price range!

Thus the present policy discriminates against:

1 Families unable to afford these prices, especially when they have several children.

2 Pensioners whose pensions haven't gone up even by six per cent let alone 50 per cent.

3 Disabled people unable to buy the cheaper seats in the Upper Circle or Gallery because they cannot climb the stairs.

4 Families unable to book for the off-peak performances for various reasons, for example that they have come from a distance to spend Christmas or New Year with relatives in York and have always gone to the panto at that time.

Jean Frost

Elmpark, York.

...I support those who have written to protest at the outrageous price rises for the Theatre Royal pantomime.

We have visited the panto, as a party of between 70 to 80 people made up of adults, pensioners and children for about 25 years.

We go the first Friday show in January.

Last year I paid the theatre £800 because of the policy of no concessions until later in the month. What will we have to pay this year? I dread to think!

The panto is the lifeblood of the theatre and needs this income to survive.

So, Mr Chief Executive, please think again and very quickly or many of us will have to go elsewhere for our Christmas entertainment.

David H Meek,

Church Warden,

St Chad on the Knavesmire, York.

Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, May 28, 2002