|
Dateline:
20th October, 2002
Leicester Calls in
ACAS
Leicester's Haymarket Theatre has called in ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation
and Arbitration Service, in their dispute with BECTU. Haymarket staff
were on strike on 9th, 12th and 13th October and are due to strike again
on Wednesday (23rd). By calling in ACAS, the theatre management hope
to avoid a fourth damaging walkout. To date, according to BECTU, the
theatre had had to refund tickets worth £50,000.
The strike is over pay and arises from a survey by BECTU, the technicians
union, that the majority of theatre workers are paid less than what
the Low Pay Unit and the Council of Europe consider to be poverty pay.
Harris Has Cancer
Actor Richard Harris has cancer, it has been announced. He is responding
well to chemotherapy at University College Hospital where he has been
for two months, his agent told the BBC. Harris (72) has Hodgkin's disease,
which is cancer of the lymph glands.
Mappa Mundi
Delay
The opening of Shelagh Stephenson's new play Mappa Mundi at the
Cottesloe has been delayed by two weeks because Sir Ian Holm has been
forced to withdraw from the production because of a recurrence of a
blood disorder. He will be replaced by Alun Armstrong.
The play, which also features James Hayes, Tim McInnerny, Alibe Parsons,
Patrick Robinson and Lia Williams and is directed by Bill Alexander,
will now open on 7th November (previews from 2nd).
Lloyd Webber Attacks
London Mayor
Andrew Lloyd Webber has attacked London's Mayor Ken Livingstone twice
this week. His first comments were made in the House of Lords and he
renewed his attack in an "Evening Standard" interview. He
criticised traffic management and road works in the West End, and public
transport , all of which, he believes, are adversely affecting theatre.
He went so far as to blame these problems for the closure of The
Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Garrick, a theatre which, he says,
is difficult to get to because of the road problems.
This is his second attack on Livingstone: he made similar but more
wide-ranging adverse comments in March, along with Cameron Mackintosh.
Just before the 1997 election, which swept Tony Blair's New Labour to
power, he said he would leave Britain if Labour won, so he does have
a political agenda and is not motivated purely by commercial considerations.
Belfast Festival Opens
This Week
The largest arts festival in Ireland, the Belfast Festival, opens later
this week (Thursday 24th). Running until 10th November, the Festival's
aim is to attract international attention to local talent. Featured
are the belfast Community Circus and the Lyric Theatre, which is premiering
two Bill Roche plays in the north, Cavalcaders and The Belfast
Carmen.
Romeo and Juliet
Musical Cancels Previews
Romeo and Juliet - The Musical, which was due to have its first
preview on Tuesday (15th) at the Piccadilly, was forced to cancel the
first three previews. The cancellation was "for technical reasons"
but producers say the first night (4th November) will not be delayed.
McGregor on Radio
Ewan McGregor is to read a series of Chekhov short stories on Radio
4's Book at Bedtime, starting on Monday 28th October. He has
also expressed interest in directing Chekhov's The Seagull for
radio. "I think it would quite lend itself to radio and I hope
to do that in the future," he said.
Dress Circle to Re-open
Next Month
Covent Garden theatre shop The Dress Circle, which was badly damaged
in an arson attack in August, will re-open on 23rd November. Although
the premises have been closed ever since the attack, the company recently
began trading on the Web again.
Little Women
at the Wells
This year's Christmas show at Sadler's Wells will be a musical version
of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. It will run from 13th Decmber
to 31st January.
Dreams
Looks Abroad for Actors
It is reported that the producers of Bombay Dreams are having
to look to other countries for new performers for the successful Bollywood
musical as there are not sufficient suitable Asian actors/singers/dancers
in the UK.
Marketing Symposium
in Cardiff
The Arts Council of Wales is organising a marketing symposium in Cardiff.
The one-day event, to be held at the Chapter Arts Centre, is to provide
arts marketing personnel with the opportunity to learn about the latest
developments in the field and share ideas. It will be held on 7th November.
Damsels
Extends
Alan Ayckbourn's trilogy Damsels in Distress (Duchess) has extended
its booking to January.
1000 Not Out
Marie Jones' Stones in His Pockets had its 1000th performance
on Wednesday 16th October at the Duke of York's. The popular comedy,
a two-hander, is also on a national tour at the moment. The show has
announced an extension to 31st May, 2003.
Boy George Returns
to Taboo
Boy George returns to play Leigh Bowery in his own musical Taboo
next month. He takes over from Juilian Clary on 11th November for a
twelve week run.
Index
A-F
Index G-K
Index L-Q
Index R-Z
News
Archive A-L
News Archive M-Z
Production News Archive
Please note that all three Archive
indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
|
