Clwyd Theatr Cymru, already facing a deficit rumoured to be around £850,000, could be heading for a confrontation with its own staff. In an effort to reduce the debt, the company wants to cut twelve posts in production departments but staff are unhappy that there is to be no reduction in associate staff, such as associate directors and literary managers. The aim is to cut the deficit by £20,000 a year. Both of the theatre's auditoria will go dark during August in an effort to save money.
Children's theatre company Unicorn has announced plans for London's first custom-built theatre for children. Situated in a disused fire station in London Bridge, the theatre will have a 350-seater auditorium and a smaller space for under-sevens, as well as rehearsal rooms and workshops. The development will cost £9m and will be completed in 2003. Southwark Council has backed the plan, and the company is making applications for grants to the Arts Council and London Arts.
Performers could lose benefit rights
Equity's success in establishing that performers should be taxed as self-employed under Schedule D may lead to their losing the right to unemployment benefit. Currently actors and other performers are regarded as self-employed by the Inland Revenue but are treated as employees for National Insurance and benefit.
An independent commissioner for Social Security is to consider the case of an actor who has been refused benefit by the Department of Social Security (DSS) because of his self-employed status in the eyes of the Revenue. The refusal came about because of government plans t harmonise the tax and benefits systems and the hearing may not take place until as late as next March.