The West End production of Saturday Night Fever will open at the London Palladium on 5th May, previewing from 21st April.
The troubled Chichester Festival Theatre was handed a lifeline last week when a new board, headed by former Cabinet minister Lord Young, took over the running of the theatre and the local council offered a £350,000 rescue package to the theatre.
Proposals in the Lottery Bill will allow the Culture Secretary to use money from the National Lottery Distribution Fund for the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts in addition to its share of the £1bn to be given to the New Opportunities Fund. ACE has expressed concern that such a move would seriously damage its programmes.
North east millionaire Karl Watkins, owner of the New Tyne Theatre in Newcastle, has indicated his interest in buying the Old Vic, but not at the £7.5m asking price. He would be prepared to bid £2m. It is reported that Andre Lloyd Webber is interested and may be prepared to pay the full price.
Stabilisation for West Yorks Playhouse
The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, has been given a stabilisation grant of £2 by ACE, effectively wiping out is £1.9m capital debt. This grant is in addition to a £591,000 interim grant already received.
Thorndike closes for the second time
The Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead, is to close for the second time this year, having only re-opened two months ago. Its operator, Screenworks UK Ltd, has gone into voluntary liquidation.
The D'Oyly Carte company has closed, and will only open if it gets increased subsidy from ACE. The company has a deficit of £1.2m.