The Theatrical Management Association, the organisers of the Barclays Theatre Awards, is now looking for over a hundred judges for the 2001 awards. Any theatregoer in the UK can apply and each successful applicant will be given tickets for shows at their local theatres between 1st September 2000 and 31st August 2001. Shows at over 160 theatres throughout the countr will be eligible for consideration. A shortlist of nominations will be drawn up in September and the awards will be presented in October.
Applications forms are being circulated to theatres this month and the closing date for applications is 7th July.
The Barclays Theatre Awards are the only national awards for regional theatre.
The following people who are theatre professionals or working in related fields have been honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours, announced today:
51% of West End workers bullied
A suvey by BECTU has found that 51% of West End workers have been bullied or suffered harrasment at work. This ranges from being refused overtime which is given to others to verbal or even physical abuse.
London Fringe venue, the 30-seater Royal George, has been forced to close because Lewisham inspectors found it a dnager to the public. It will be allowed to reopen after the installation of a second fire escape. The venue hopes to reopen in late autumn.
In its annual report the Scottish Arts Council has pledged to be more "efficient, responsive and approachable". Criticism has grown in recent months over many aspects of the organisation's affairs, including a claim that it is over-staffed.
Blackpool's Grand Theatre has launched an appeal for quarter of a million pounds to carry out essential restoration work. An mail appeal to 7,000 supporters raised over a quarter of the sum within days.