SIR,
With reference to Kathleen Ellaway's letter in the Beacon (dated 3 September) about saving The Savoy.
My wife and I have been frequent visitors to The Savoy from the day it reopened, and yes the sound was not very good, but it has vastly improved over the years. Having said that there are still problems, which are due, I think to two factors:
The way films are made today with secret dialogue (whispering) to give more realism in some locations makes it difficult to hear.
I find that it can be the same at home to hear the TV in similar circumstances.
For the mature audience whose high frequency hearing has decreased a reduction in the bass will allow the higher frequencies to dominate, thereby making the dialogue clearer.
This can be done at no expense. The Savoy should change the frequency response of the audio system to suit the film and audience, for example the film Atonement, which was aimed at the mature viewer would have benefited from a reduction in the bass. I would be very sad to see The Savoy close, as it is a great asset to the town. With more emphasis on reducing our carbon footprint should we be travelling to Coleford or Newport to see the latest film?
Brian Atkins
(Monmouth)