ACE's director of arts and policy, Graham Marchant, has resigned, reportedly over the decision to substantially increase the grant to the Royal Opera House, in spite of Culture Secretary Chris Smith's desire that only well-managed companies should be rewarded from public funds.
Evening Standard Theatre Awards
The following awards were made:
The Federation of Scottish Theatre is considering plans to introduce their own pay and conditions packages for Scottish theatre. Equity has condemned the plan, but BECTU has said that they will "look at" any proposals which improve on the TMA deal, which currently sets the pay and conditions standards for the whole of the UK. Equity has expressed further the concern that this could lead to similar moves in Northern Ireland and Wales.
Manchester's Royal Exchange, almost totally destroyed by the 1996 IRA bomb, re-opened last week with the production of Hindle Wakes, the play which was running when the bombers struck. The cast received huge applause as it walked onto the stage for the beginning of the play. The official gala opening night will be next Saturday (12th December), for which tickets cost up to £100.
Barclays' theatre sponsorship to continue
Barclays' sponsorship of theatre, including the Barclays Theatre Aawards and Barclays Stage Partners, will continue in spite of the resignation of the bank's chairman Andrew Buxton, who is known to be the main arts supporter on the board. Barclays is regarded as the most important business sponsor of the performing arts.
From September 1999 820 dance and drama students will be able to get grants of, on average, £6000 for accredited courses at 29 institutions. Would-be students will have to audition for these grants. The maximun contribution students or their parents will have to make to course fees will be £1000. This will replace the current Interim Funding Scheme which has not been a success, with a third of local authorities not taking part.