We need double, Southgate claims
A leaked letter from Sir Colin Southgate, the businessman brought in by Culture Secretary Chris Smith to put the Royal Opera House on a firm footing, claims that it needs an addition £15m a year in grant to be able to run. This is twice its current annual grant from ACE. If this is not forthcoming, Southgate claims, the House will be trading insolvently when it re-opens, even if it sells every ticket and meets its sponsorship targets.
The new ACE council members have been appointed: in addition to chairman Gerry Robinson and existing members David Brierley, Christopher Frayling, Andrew Motion and Prudence Skene, the council will consist of Derrick Anderson (arts funder), Deborah Bull (dancer), Anish Kapoor (sculptor), Joanna MacGregor (pianist) and Hilary Strong (Edinburgh Fringe director).
Royal Exchange opening date set
Manchester's Royal Exchange, severely damaged in the IRA bombing, will re-open on 30th November after a £30m rebuilding programme. In the 15 month opening season there will be 13 premieres of new plays, eight in the 120-seater studio. In the programme is King Lear, with Tom Courtnay, and Richard Wilson in Waiting for Godot.
North west theatres under threat
Some producing theatres in the north west could lose their funding under a review of drama funding by North West Arts. Performing Arts Officer Patric Gilchrist admits that as many as five could close as a result of the review.
The following received awards in the Queen's Birthday Honours List: