Very rarely do I go to the theatre and feel compelled to write to the Press immediately afterwards.

However, I went to the fine production of Hobson's Choice at the Theatre Royal, Brighton, on Tuesday night and was staggered to see so many empty seats.

This touring production is of the highest class, with every single member of the cast turning in a top-notch performance.

Tony Britton, one of our finest and constantly most underrated actors, is brilliant as Harold Hobson and is very ably supported by a captivating Katharine Rogers, an excellent Michael Begley and a strong company who find all the humour and pathos in the play.

Even the impressive sets are worth the entrance fee.

It must be so disheartening for the cast to look out to a more than half-empty theatre but it must also be puzzling to the theatre management when they have booked what they assume will be a popular production.

In all my long years of attending the Theatre Royal, I barely remember such a poorly-attended performance.

Forget the World Cup for an evening this week and treat yourself to a gem.

The play has not lost any of its charm or ability to amuse, as the small audience on Tuesday proved with their appreciative laughter and enthusiastic applause.

And, to the cast, a big thank you for such an entertaining evening, reminding us of one of the great 20th-Century comedies in such style.

-David Guest, Blatchington Road, Hove