“Britons want to be more cultured and attend more arts events next year, a survey suggests. About 90% of the 1,000 respondents said they would aim to see more theatre, opera and exhibitions in 2004. Only one in 10 went to the ballet or opera in 2003, despite research suggesting nearly 70% of UK citizens think they are ‘cultured’.” The high cost of tickets and the lack of enough spare time seem to be the major obstacles keeping more Britons from experiencing their local arts scene.
Tag: 12.30.03
Russell Resigns P.S.122
After 21 years, Mark Russell has resigned as executive director of New York’s P.S. 122. “In addition to the widespread kudos for the man who helped launch Whoopi Goldberg, Eric Bogosian, Blue Man Group, John Leguizamo, and the Hip Hop Theater Festival—and brought heating, lighting, and a managerial infrastructure into the once abandoned public-school building—artists and producers of experimental work also sounded the alarm over the possibility that a corporate mentality might replace the aesthetic vision and commitment that have characterized Russell’s tenure.”
2003 – The Year States Bailed On The Arts
Across America, states cut arts funding in 2003. “By July, virtually every state arts council had received an appropriations decrease. Some cuts were draconian: 30% in Minnesota, 62% in Massachusetts, almost 80% in Florida, and a near defunding in Colorado. Compared to this, the cut sustained by the New York State Council on the Arts — 15% — seemed almost benign.”
The New Age Of Understudy
Pity the understudy. Most understudies rarely get that Cinderella call to the stage. But “the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new director, Michael Boyd, has waved his magic wand and decreed that she shall go the ball – every understudy at Stratford is now contractually guaranteed at least one full public performance per production. As a morale booster, this seems to me both humane and practical, and it is also evidence of a new trend that brings the understudy out of the dressing room and into the spotlight.”
The World’s Most Popular Show Of All Time
What’s the most successful show in history? It’s Holiday on Ice. “Reviled by critics, adored by coach parties, and seen by many millions – in fact, the show passed the 300 million mark last autumn – Holiday on Ice returns to the Wembley Arena next month, to celebrate its 60th anniversary. In 1988 it won its place in the Guinness Book of Records as most watched show of all time, when a French woman, Isabelle Challier, became the 250 millionth visitor. It has toured to 620 cities in 80 countries. It is now run from Amsterdam, and military-style planning keeps three shows, with 200 skaters, touring the world.”
Where Are New York’s Great New Musicals
There is plenty of musical theatre going on in New York. Most of it isn’t first-rate. “New York is awash with performing talent, so why, aside from the obvious factors of cost and the inherently high failure rate for any collaborative art form, aren’t the new works worthy of their actors?”
French Author Sues Disney Over Nemo
“A French children’s author is suing Disney, saying the international box-office hit Finding Nemo may have been lifted from his own work.”
Patrons Protest Orchestra Conductor’s Dismissal
“One of the Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario) Symphony’s most generous financial supporters is demanding the resignation of the entire board of directors for the “unjust dismissal” of conductor Martin Fischer-Dieskau.”
Theatre Vulture
New York theatre columnist Michael Riedel is “one of the most influential (and feared) media figures in Manhattan today,” writes Richard Ouzounian. It’s because of his “take-no-prisoners style of reporting.” Says Riedel: “I think of Broadway as a very important industry for New York, and so I write about the business of Broadway. The shows that are making money and hiding it, the shows that are losing money and lying about it. I cover it all.”
Bay Area Publisher Goes Out Of Business, Drags Down Authors
Creative Arts Books had a long and distinguished history of publishing. But when times turned tough, the owner made deals with authors promising much but delivering little. When the publisher finally declared business and went out of business, dozens of writers were left bilked out of effort and money they’d poured into their projects. Now they’re banding together trying to get back rights to their work.