OUR thoughts and best wishes go to Berwick Kaler, who has been taken ill.

Apart from being a hugely talented writer, director and performer, Berwick is of the old stage school: a trouper who will do everything to ensure that the show goes on.

This is the man who, as Britain's best dame, performed 65 shows in a few exhausting weeks during pantomime season. He didn't miss a performance.

But last night's production of Hobson's Choice was postponed after Berwick was taken to hospital. We hope he will quickly be fit enough to re-emerge into the spotlight.

Updated: 10:18 Thursday, March 31, 2005