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Dateline: 7th April, 2006
Welfare State - New Name, New Director For almost forty years Welfare State International was a world leader in celebratory, participatory and dramatic political art. This March, John Fox took his final bow with the musical spectacular Longline the carnival opera. He departs to explore new artistic territory in a solo career; Welfare State International is no more but the story continues:
On 1st April Lanternhouse opened its doors to a new Creative Director, Stephen Powell. Powell has had an eclectic international career as writer, director, performer, television and live event producer. As co-deviser and producer of the multi-award winning Flashmob - The Opera for BBC 2/BBC 3, he has helped to create a sub-genre of participative arts-based, live event television. His final project with the BBC before taking over at Lanternhouse is as writer/producer of The Manchester Passion for BBC 3. This major, possibly controversial, live TV broadcast recounts the story of the crucifixion through street performance and songs from Manchester's rich '80s and '90s pop heritage, including Oasis, Joy Division and The Smiths. It is hosted by Keith Allen (Bodies, 24 Hour Party People) and stars Darren Morfitt (55 Degrees North) as Jesus, Tim Booth (lead singer of James) as Judas and ex-Happy Mondays man Bez as Barrabas. A large community cast from Manchester and the north west is also taking part. Stephen Powell will lead a new company at Lanternhouse, involving many of the artists and staff who have worked with Welfare State International, not least Sue Gill, co-founder of WSI, artist, writer and innovative practitioner in the field of secular rites of passage. Lanternhouse is a building, a creative network and an ethos of art and performance is a social context. Stephen shares John Fox's belief in art as a power to inspire, uplift and transform communities and individuals. He has worked with companies at the heart of the British artistic establishment - the Royal Shakespeare Company, the BBC and the National Theatre - but has always strived to push them to riskier, more imaginative and ultimately more worthwhile and successful work. The new programme at Lanternhouse will include: collaborations with other major arts organisations; international exchanges, work in new forms such as digital media, film and broadcast; the development of a practice-based performance research centre; a creative consultancy; and a national conference on the 'why, what and who for' of art in a modern cultural context. For the people of South Lakeland, Ulverston and Barrow there is a commitment to continuing and developing work that engages with and is important to our home community including the unique and astonishing Lantern Festival Finale in September. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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