I am resident in the United Kingdom. Have been for over a year. No big mystery there. Most of my family know this and, moreover, have my address and telephone number. Yes, my telephone number is ex-directory or unlisted for the following reasons.

I am a theatre producer and director under the name of Iain Deane, so I am not anonymous.

In June I directed a show starring, among others, a two time best actress Oscar winner, along with a Golden Globe best actor winner and several singers who usually appear on the stages of La Scala Milan, the Royal Opera Coven Garden and the Met, among others. I directed them under my own name, not any other name. This show was in London’s West End and was reported in the Times and the Telegraph both. There is also a CD of the show on sale which credits me with its direction. If anyone is interested, they cost GBP10.00 each.

I am also a member of both British and Canadian Actors’ Equity Associations and correspondence to either of these bodies would have found me.

Any advertisement in a major newspaper (Times or Telegraph) in the country in which I reside would have elicited an immediate response. Indeed, and I speak under correction, I believe that it is necessary to effect service by substitution by advertising in a newspaper in the country in which I live and this has not been done.

However, once my sister had advised me of what was going on, instead of using the lack of adveretising in the United Kingdom press, which I am fairly sure was an option available to me, I contacted an old friend of mine and asked him and his firm to represent me in this matter in Canada.

So, what is all the fuss about? The announcement of my discovery is made to sound as if I have been in hiding under some rock and by dint of threat and investigation I have been “produced”.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Iain Deane