The National Theatre has confirmed that it will not advertise the post of artistic director when it comes to replace Trevor Nunn. "The calibre of applicant we're looking for doesn't send in a CV," said a spokesperson for the company.
Predictably this has caused a considerable fuss in the arts world as both the RSC and the Royal Opera House both advertised their senior posts and there is a strong feeling that a company as dependent upon public subsidy as the RNT should be much more transparent in its appointments.
The National's press office released the following statement in response to the criticism:
The Board made a public announcement on 11 April that they were considering the question of succession to Trevor Nunn. This announcement was widely circulated, extensively reported in the press and also posted on its website. It contained the following lines: 'Anyone who wishes to express views of any kind about the appointment is invited to write to the Chairman, Sir Christopher Hogg, at the Royal National Theatre.'
This clear open invitation is surely the opposite of arrogance. The Board is demonstrating its receptiveness to suggestions and ideas from anyone who is interested in the National, thus engendering a far more inclusive and wide-ranging response than a rigid formal advertisement. It also recognises that there is a wider debate about the future and indentity of the National which may have a bearing on the succession.
Nobody in the arts world (and probably beyond!) can be in ignorance of the fact that the post is open, and all suggestions and applications are welcome.
Last week Tessa Blackstone, the Arts Minister, launched Theatre 2001, Future Directions, the report on the Theatre 2001 conference organised by SOLT, the TMA and the ITC. The report, priced at £15, can be obtained by phoning 020 7557 6700.
Cameron Mackintosh will not be producing any more musicals, he has announced, and scarcely a week later his company said that it would be backing Area 51, a science fiction rock musical written by Daniel O'Brien, a 21 year old Scottish student.
According to O'Brien, this will not be in the usual music theatre mould: "contemporary music with cutting-edge techniques," was how he described it. "Something completely diverse from recent musicals."