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What's What in British Theatre?
Dateline: 17th May, 1999
Have you noticed how many abbreviations we use when we're talking about theatre? Can you understand this (imaginary) news item?
The RNT, RSC and ROH have fallen out with ACE over criticisms of the companies from the HSE. ACE retaliated by saying that it did not get enough money from the DCMS and the NL to be able to fund everyone as fully as possible. It suggests trying the FSA or ABSA. Both ACW and SAC have the same problems. Rumblings have recently been heard from the ITC and TMA over the same topic. BECTU has said that its members may take industrial action.
Did you follow that? You're an expert! For those who didn't, here's a guide to
the most common abbreviations:
ACE
The Arts Council of England: government funded quango (quasi-govermental organisation) set up to advise the government on artistic matters and to distribute government funds (including that part of National Lottery money devoted to the arts). ACE is now moving towards a more decentralised position: although it retains the responsibility for funding of the major national companies, it is gradually (as part of government policy) devolving much of its funding resposiobility to the Regional Arts Boards (qv).
ABSA
Now Arts and Business (qv)
ACW/CCC
The Arts Council of Wales - Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru: similar to the Arts Council of England but receiving its funds through the Welsh Assembly. Until devolution it received its funds via the Welsh Office.
ACNI
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland: similar to the Arts Council of England but receiving its funds from the Northern Ireland Office.
Arts and Business
Formerly known as the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts (ABSA). An organisation set up to organise end encourage businesses to sponsor the arts, not only by providing money but also by sharing expertise.
ASM
Assistant Stage Manager: the backstage dogsbody! The lowest rung on the backsage ladder.
BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts. It's annual awards are the British equivalent of the Oscars and Emmies.
BECTU
The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union for stage management, lighting, sound and other theatre technical personnel. Its memebrship comes from all the entertainment fields: radio, TV, film, theatre etc.
BRB
Birmingham Royal Ballet.
CDS
The Conference of Drama Schools: an organisation representing accredited drama schools in the UK.
DAW/CDC
Drama Association of Wales/Cymdeithas Ddrama Cymru: set up to help and develop amateur theatre in Wales.
DCMS
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Government department whose chief minister, the Secretary of State at the DCMS (currently Chris Smith MP) is a member of the Cabinet. The DCMS has responsibility for all matters cultural and artistic, and for the National Lottery. There are other ministers in the department (such as the Minister for the Arts), who do not have Cabinet rank.
DfES
The Department for Education and Skills. Government department whose
chief minister, the Secretary of State at the DfES is a member of the
Cabinet. There are other ministers in the department (such as the Schools
Minister), who do not have Cabinet rank.
DGGB
The Directors' Guild of Great Britain - trade union and professional association for directors in theatre, film, radio and TV.
DSM
Deputy Stage Manager.
EA
Eastern Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
EMA
East Midland Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
ENO
English National Opera. Based at the Coliseum in London.
Equity
The British Actors' Equity Association - the actors' trade union.
ESC
The English Shakespeare Company. A company established by director Michael Bogdanov and actor Michael Pennington to present a modern approach to Shakespeare's plays. It now has an education arm - the Shakespeare Experience.
FoH
Front of House. The auditorium and public areas of a theatre, and the work that goes on there.
FSA
The Foundation for Sport and the Arts. Set up, under government regulations, by the football pools commpanies (football pools are a way of gambling on the results of soccer matches), to distribute a percentage of their profits to sports and arts organisations in the UK. At one time it was a major source of funding, especially for amateur theatre companies, but the amount it has to distribute has fallen considerably since the introduction of the National Lottery, which reduced the number of people who "do the pools".
FX
Effects: usually referring to sound effects.
HSE
The Health and Safety Executive. Body set up to ensure that all organisations comply with government safety regulations. It offers advice, draws up guidelines and brings legal action against organisations or businesses which fail to meet the requirements.
ITC
The Independent Theatre Council. An organisation representing small- and medium-scale theatre and dance companies.
LAB
The London Arts Board: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
LBGC
The London Boroughs' Grant Committee. Set up by the various boroughs that go to make up London to distribute grants to London-based organisations.
LTG
The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain. An organisation of amateur companies who own their own theatres.
LX
Short for Electrics. Used generally of the whole lighting department and its work.
MD
Musical Director. Of course it also means Managing Director - very important in these theatre-as-business days!
MU
The Musicians' Union - the musicians' trade union.
NA
Northern Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
NCA
The National Campaign for the Arts. A national pressure group, set up to lobby for the interests of all the arts.
NCDT
The National Council for Drama Training - the body which accredits drama courses.
NL
The National Lottery. The bulk of the Lottery's profits must be distributed to "good causes", among which are the Arts.
NODA
The National Operatic and Dramatic Association. Founded to "protect and advance the interests of Operatic and Dramatic Art, and of Societies engaged therein". Most amateur operatic societies in the UK are members.
NWA
North West Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
RAB
Regional Arts Board. The RABs are responsible for the distribution of government funding to regional and local arts organisations. There are ten in England.
RNT
The Royal National Theatre, situated in London on the south bank of the Thames. It consists of three auditoria: the Olivier, the Cottesloe and the Lyttleton. One of the major national companies funded directly by ACE.
ROH
The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The British opera "flagship" theatre and company, also home to the Royal Ballet. Funded directly by ACE.
RSC
The Royal Shakespeare Company, situated in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace. It has three theatres: the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan and the Other Place. Although it specialises in Shakespeare, it does not only do his plays, but has a wide repertoire. It tours regularly and has established residencies in Plymouth and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Funded directly by ACE.
SA
Southern Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
SAC
Scottish Arts Council: similar to the Arts Council of England but receiving its funds from the Scottish Parliament. Until devoltion it was funded via the Scottish Office.
SB
Scottish Ballet.
SCDA
The Scottish Community Drama Association. An organisation set up to help and develop Scottish amateur theatre.
SM
Stage Manager.
SEA
South East Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
SO
Scottish Opera. Based at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow.
SWA
South West Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
TD
Technical Director: an American term which is now begnning to replace Stage Manager in this country too.
TMA
The Theatrical Management Association - an association representing theatre management in dealings with government and employee unions (BECTU, Equity, MU).
WMA
West Midlands Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts Boards.
YHA
Yorkshire and Humberside Arts: one of the ten English Regional Arts
Boards. (It also means the Youth Hostels Association, but that's not
really relevant!)
Articles Indices:
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