The theatre preview is an odd beast. “Like so much, good and bad, in British culture, the preview is essentially an American import. The American theatre economy can sustain this lengthy period of what is effectively public rehearsal because it has a huge subscriber base. But why on earth should audiences be asked to watch something which in some sense is not deemed ready for public consumption? At best, they run the risk of being short-changed, especially if preview tickets are charged at the same price as those after the official opening.”
Tag: 09.16.04
Blame Game At The Abbey
Dublin’s Abbey Theatre is hurting: “For its 100th birthday the Abbey announced a sprawling yearlong program of plays by unfurling an enormous banner that spans the width of its facade – almost a whole city block – asking the public, “What will you see?” Judging by the affairs that now threaten to obscure the theater’s centenary, the answer has clearly been “not much.” Much of the blame for the Abbey’s malaise has been laid at the foot of its artistic director, Ben Barnes, who designed the centenary program and has been criticized for an aloof and distant management style. He has made public his desire to leave the theater and move to Canada when his contract expires in December next year.”
US Artists Vs George Bush
It’s not too surprising that many artists are more politically liberal than conservative. What is unusual this election year, though, is that so many artists are actively making their political views known and are working to defeat George Bush…
The Smithsonian’s Ocean Of Expansion
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is to undergo the biggest renovation in its history. “Ocean Hall will cost $60 million and cover 28,000 square feet — 3,000 more than the successful makeover of the Hall of Mammals last year. It will bring together for the first time all 50 of the museum’s marine scientists and government specialists in what’s being called the Smithsonian Ocean Science Initiative.”
There’s Art In Them Thar Schools
There’s art in Philadelphia public schools – as much as $30 million worth of art. “The school district had commissioned a survey of school buildings over the past year to see what art existed. It expected to find a few interesting pieces in odd places, but nothing like this. There may be as many as 100 museum-quality pieces in the Philadelphia schools’ collection.”
Renegotiating The (Major) Orchestra Contract
“It is contract negotiation time at some of the nation’s most important orchestras, when the world’s most exquisitely trained musicians go into hard-hat mode and artistic administrations act like cost-cutting bosses. But this year is unlike any other. In an extraordinary alignment of the stars, four of the so-called Big Five orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, coincidentally have multiyear contracts expiring now, precisely at a moment of serious economic hardship.”
Shakespeare Portrait On View
To celebrate its 150th birthday, London’s National Portrait Gallery is planning to display a controversial portrait said to be of William Shakespeare. “The so-called Chandos portrait, which has been the subject of fierce debate over whether it really does feature Shakespeare, is set to be joined by other controversial portraits of the writer whose life is little documented.”