Mrs. Lincoln’s Play

I question Don Shirley’s review of the PBS production of “Look Away” (TV Reviews, Nov. 18). Even though Shirley is usually a theater reviewer, he must know that PBS is not in the business of making large-cast historical dramas.

He complains that “Look Away” is a duologue. Yes. That’s what you call a two-person play, all right. We got to see two wonderful actresses speaking wonderful lines.

Shirley says he would rather have seen a play about Robert Lincoln, the sanity trial, etc., but that is another play that was already produced on PBS: “The Last of Mrs. Lincoln.”

This play, Mr. Shirley, was about Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley, so an evening of their reminiscences is illuminating and appropriate.

HILARY LEACH

Los Angeles

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