Two points to add to Tim Auld’s piece on the impressive legacy of theatre director Stephen Joseph (Doing the rounds, Review, 11 July). Both refer to his “messy childhood”. Joseph always admitted that the influence of doing school plays under Clayesmore school’s Carl Verrinder “was a decisive factor” in his career and direction. His father, the publisher Michael Joseph, had deliberately sent him to a more progressive and creative school than where he sent his elder brother, Bradfield. In addition, his mother, the actress Hermione Gingold, pulled many strings to get him into the Central School of Drama at the age of 16. It was her way of spiting her ex-husband, who wanted Stephen to go into his publishing business.
Hugh Thompson
London
