Scottish theatres to leave TMA claim
Scottish theatres and production companies are likely to leave the TMA in favour of the Federation of Scottish Theatres, The Stage claims in its lead story this week. With devolution in the offing, many Scots theatres see their future in a Scotland-based organisation, the paper says.
Rumours are rife that Culture Secretary Chris Smith is considering privatising the Royal Opera, whilst still funding the Royal Ballet. DCMS sources say that this is just one option being considered, and point out that nothing will be decided until Sir Richard Eyre's Enquiry into the ROH and ENO reports in the spring.
New jazz musical The Slow Drag is to close on 17th January, in spite of the fact that an extension was recently announced. Advanced sales have not been good enough to warrant the proposed extension.
The Old Vic has finally closed its doors, although discussions with potential purchaers continue, and all staff will have left by the beginning of February. Potential buyers are said to include the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Karl Watkin, owner of the New Tyne Theatre, Newcastle.
Liverpool Playhouse "temporary closure"
The Liverpool Playhouse has gone dark "indefinitely", although a spokeman for the administrators says that the closure will not be permanent and that there are a number of parties interested in bying the theatre.
The Stage, the UK's trade paper for the theatre and entertainment business, has opened its Web site.
Culture Secretary Chris Smith's choice for the chairmanship of ACE, Gerry Robinson, was the subject of a slashing attack in The Times this week. Columnist Richard Morrison, in an article entitled Dawn raid on the Arts Council, after looking back at Robinson's history at Granada Television, finishes by saying, " ...True, many people feel that the Arts Council needs a good shake-up. Whether it needs to be purged, downsized, gutted, rationalised and hung out to dry is another matter."