News

A new partnership will "lift the curtain" on the the dance industry for students.

Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance will launch the new programme in February with a series of pre-show talks and workshops for dancers and company staff.

They aim to inspire young dancers and deepen their understanding and appreciation of ballet as an art form.

The academy's Artistic Director Gerard Charles says there is "so much more to studying ballet than simply learning the steps".

"We are all part of a large dance community that includes beginners, experienced dancers and teachers, and we learn from each other. I cannot wait to see how our dancers and teachers benefit from this amazing opportunity."

73,000 arts and entertainment workers do not quality for statutory sick pay, according to trade union body TUC.

The figure amounts to one in eight sector workers, or 12% of the workforce.

TUC warns that tougher self-isolation rules introduced in light of the Omicron variant could leave these workers without income over the Christmas period.

“Our sick pay system is broken. No one should be left to choose between doing the right thing or putting food on the table," TUC General Secretary Francis O'Grady said.

The UK has the least generous statutory sick pay in Europe, the union says, worth £96.35 per week and only available to employees earning more than £120 per week.

The Government previously introduced a temporary scheme to assist people who face hardship if required to self-isolate, but TUC analysis found 64% of applications were rejected.

The next official survey of private investment in the cultural sector will help organisations to become more effective fundraisers, Arts Council England says.

The funder has called on not-for-profit organisations to take part in the research, which will consider the varied impact of Covid-19 on donations and sponsorship.

"Some organisations have benefited hugely from the generosity of loyal donors in their hour of need, while others have struggled to maintain levels of fundraising, let alone develop them further," Chair Nicholas Serota wrote.

The last survey in 2019 found individuals, trusts, foundations and businesses were giving £545m to cultural organisations.

Organisations have been encouraged to contribute to this year's, not only to help the arts council but also to think about their own business planning.

"There are examples from across the country that show how organisations of all sizes can build sustained and fruitful relationships with every kind of donor," Serota added.

West End theatres will dim their lights for two minutes at 7pm tonight (December 8), in memory of actor Sir Antony Sher, whose death was announced on Friday.  
 
A double Olivier Award winner, Sher had a prolific stage and screen career, including a long association with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

His final stage appearances included the Pinter at the Pinter season, and John Kani’s play Kunene and the King. 

RSC Executive Director Catherine Mallyon said Sher was deeply loved and hugely admired by many colleagues and a ground-breaking role model for young actors.

"It is impossible to comprehend that he is no longer with us. We will ensure friends far and wide have the chance to share tributes and memories."

Belarus Free Theatre (BFT) has been forced to move its entire ensemble out of the country.

First formed in 2005, BFT says it faced violence, severe threats and repression in the wake of President Alexander Lukashenko’s re-election in August 2020. Five members have been arrested for peaceful protests and face substantial prison sentences if arrested again.

BFT is the only theatre in Europe banned by a Government on political grounds.

Co-Founder and Artistic Director Natalia Kalida, who sought political asylum in the UK 10 years ago, said the decision to move the 16-person ensemble and their family members was “an unprecedented reality”.

“The sheer existence of Belarus Free Theatre and our continued work, despite repression, is the greatest threat to dictatorship - the will of the people to continue telling the truth is the greatest show of power imaginable.”

BFT will now work from The Barbican in London.

Featured performances there will run from December 10, with rehearsals for a scheduled production next year ongoing.

1,433 artists working in Northern Ireland will share £2.7m in emergency funding.

The final wave of the £5m Creative Individual Recovery Programme (CIRP) has been delivered by Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI) on behalf of the Department of Communities.

Successful applicants were awarded up to £2,000 to undertake activity linked to their practice or art form.

The annoucement follows recent calls for further support to the sector, after Covid-19 erased a quarter of the country's creative workforce. 

ACNI Chief Executive Roisin McDonough said the money means artists won't be forced to find alternative work.

“That would take Northern Ireland years to recover from.”
 

A Night Time Advisor in every major city will help kickstart the industry's recovery.

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) hopes to establish 12 new advisors to match those in Bristol, London and Greater Manchester.

Covid-19 closures and restrictions have caused an estimated 90,000 job losses, with a third of the UK’s nightclubs no longer trading.

The advisors will act as representatives for local nightlife, reporting to their local or combined authority executive to spotlight regional issues.

NTIA CEO Michael Kill says this is the only way the sector can recover its pre-pandemic vibrance.

“We would call on all relevant local and combined authorities to engage with us on this to benefit the many millions who want to see thriving night time economies all over the UK.”