REMEMBERING JOHN

The premature passing of John Allison has given me one more reason to curse the injustice of AIDS (“Theater’s Allison Died as He Lived--With Grit,” by Sylvie Drake, Oct. 6).

Here was a man who demanded of himself and everyone around him a commitment to create the courageous and the extraordinary. Mere “competent” theater was not enough for him. He pursued the astonishing, the dangerous and the incredible in his work, setting a standard in taking artistic risks.

It did not take more than a few minutes with him to see that he had a passion for greatness and was blessed with the power to inspire this passion in others. He gave all he worked with with a wonderful gift--the spirit and desire to excel.

MANDY REES

Bakersfield