“The truth is that it is not the current raft of musicals that are killing the straight play in the West End but the theatre buildings themselves, most of which were built in the 19th century and are entirely unsympathetic for contemporary drama. Modern audiences raised on the intimacy of TV and film are entirely correct to be disinclined to spend £37.50 to see a live performance that from row P in the stalls appears to be taking place in another county. … As for the straight play, well it’s alive and well, it is just happening in places other than the West End – in the subsidised sector and in studio and fringe spaces.”
Tag: 11.23.06
Charleston Symphony On Verge Of Collapse
South Carolina’s Charleston Symphony Orchestra is on the brink of bankruptcy due to years of red ink and an inability to generate new donations, even after the orchestra’s musicians took an 18% pay cut in 2003. “The orchestra finished the [2006] fiscal year, which ended June 30, to the tune of $179,000 in the red. At the same time, the orchestra’s cash reserves have plunged 85 percent, from $606,223 to $93,010.” CSO officials have set a February drop-dead date after which the orchestra will be unable to continue operations without a major influx of cash.
Atlanta Symphony, Musicians Agree On Contract
“The new contract calls for incremental pay raises over the next four years. The current 52-week minimum salary for rank-and-file ASO musicians is $79,300. That figure will rise to $88,400 by the 2010-2011 season.”
Why The Philadelphia Orchestra And Its Conductor Are Parting
“For at least two years the players have been leaking to the press their complaints about Mr. Eschenbach, who is said to be willful in his interpretations and inefficient in rehearsals. Though he almost always seems a kinetic and limber presence on the podium, the musicians maintain that Mr. Eschenbach, 66, has gotten lost during performances.”
Afghan Museum To Return To Kabul
“The Afghanistan Museum in Exile, in Switzerland, is closing, and its collection will be sent back to Kabul as Unesco has determined that the situation in the Afghan capital is now safe enough. Items donated for safekeeping are therefore being packed, for their return.”
Italian Culture Minister Blames Getty For Broken Talks
Italy’s culture minister says the Getty Museum unilaterally broke off talks over the return of antiquities. “It is our government’s duty to make it clear that all the world’s museums which exhibit ransacked Italian works must return them”.
Getty Responds To Italian Charge
“I want to repeat that we are deeply saddened that our talks with the Italian Ministry of Culture did not result in a mutually beneficial agreement regarding cultural cooperation and a joint agreement on the return of objects claimed by Italy from the Getty’s antiquities collection. During our meeting with Ministry officials on November 17, we offered substantial compromises, including the immediate transfer of full title to the Cult Statue of a Goddess, if the Italian government would join the Getty in conducting further research.”
Reality Bites Turner Contender
As part of his entry in this year’s Turner Prize, artist Phil Collins held a “news conference” with stars of reality TV shows. “Cameras were trained on the media, who, in turn, had their cameras focused on the nine ‘victims’ of Supernanny, Wife Swap, Trisha et al. All felt they had been exploited in some way – manipulated by seemingly friendly producers who ruined their lives and spat them out in the TV production line.”