According to a report in The Independent, RNT artistic director Trevor Nunn will not consider a renewal when his present five year contract runs out in 2002. He is said to be angry about the recent criticism resulting from the major problems over the NT Ensemble productions of Romeo and Juliet and Peer Gynt, when, by all indications, the shows were only saved by his intervention.
There has also been criticism that he has not appointed any associate directors - the first not to do so - but a spokesperson for the theatre denied that this was done intentionally: it is just that those he had approached were unable to accept.
Rumours are already flying about a possible replacement, with Stephen Daldry, Sam Mendes and Jude Kelly being cited as possibles. Daldry, although still closely associated with the Royal Court and a Los Angeles hot property thanks to Billy Elliott, said recently, "I am sure I will want to run another theatre at some point in my life."
New Kingston theatre starts construction this week
Work starts this week on a new theatre for Kingston-on-Thames, and it is backed by Sir Peter Hall, along with many other luminaries, such as Richard Briers, Lynda la Plante and Michael Aspel.
The theatre will have three audioria: the main house (879 seats), the studio (230) and a rehearsal room which would seat 90. In addition there is to be a cafe, restaurant and art gallery.
The shell of the building is being built free of charge by St George property developers as part of a deal between them and Kingston council over the redevelopment of the town centre. Hall and the other celebrity supporters hope to raise £4m to equip the theatre.
It is due to open in 2002 and both the RSC and the Manchester Royal Exchange are considering using it as an extra London base.
London Radio Playwrights Festival 2000
Entries are invited to the 2000 London Radio Playwrights Festival. The closing date is 31st December and authors must be living, working or studying in Greater London. The six best plays will be professionally produced on radio and the Internet. Mark Ravenhill is one of the judges.
For further details, go to the Website.
Actors give Court lifts a lift
The mechanical voice in the lifts at the Royal Court have been replaced by voiceovers done by actors such as Ray Winstone and Emily Watson. It appears that director Ian Rickson was so appalled by the mechanical voices, he persuaded the actors to do the replacement recordings.
Thewlis to publish satirical novel
Actor David Thewlis is taking sabatical leave from acting for a while to complete his first novel, a satire on the London art scene, which will be published by Picador next year.