The London Borough Grants Committee is considering a plan to fund just two theatres in each borough as a cost-cutting exercise in view of expected reduced contributions from councils in the coming financial year. This could have a major effect, as Camden has six funded theatres and Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster all have three. Theatres affected could include Sadler's Wells, the Young Vic, the Hackney Empire, and BAC.
New Edinburgh Fringe Director appointed
Paul Gudgin has been appointed as the new director of the Edinburgh Fringe. Gidgin (35) is at present the general manager of Edinburgh's Queen's Hall and was manager of the Bury St Edmunds Festival from 1990 to 1995.
TMA attacks Welsh theatre plans
The Theatrical Management Association has attacked the Arts Council of Wales over its theatre plans, alleging that the consultation period was unrealistic as it was much too short, that the process is to be too fast, and that there is no artistic justification for the plans.
London fringe theatre the King's Head will close if LAB goes ahead with its plan to cut their grant, owner Dan Crawford has said. The Arts for Labour organisation, consisting of luminaries from the arts world who support the Labour party, has written to Culture Secretary Chris Smith expressing their dismay over the plans. Kenneth Branagh and Neil Pearson, memebrs of Arts for Labour, are vocal supporters of the King's Head.
Greenwich council has approved a grant of £200,000 for the threatened Greenwich Theatre, and have guaranteed the grant for two years. Supporters of the theatre have raised £50,000 to prevent creditors putting the theatre into liquidation and now all debts have been cleared. The theatre has been dark for nearly a year.