News

North Wales Police are investigating the planned reopening of Theatre Ardudwy in Harlech after workers alleged being employed under false pretences.

Tony Stringfellow, employed to be Artistic Director of the theatre, reported KMD Production’s Kallum O’Sullivan, who said the theatre would open in August.

Stringfellow claims O’Sullivan advertised shows that were never going to take place and said he has been underpaid by nearly £2,000.

Theatr Ardudwy recently parted ways with O’Sullivan, after a number of public statements made by the producer were found to be false.

Police say they are making enquiries to establish whether any criminal offences have occurred.

Morgenstern's, a UK diary service for musicians, will close, its founder and operator has announced.

Julian Morgenstern has been providing services free of charge for 15 months but says the pandemic has crippled his business.

"I know that even though orchestral work is beginning to start up again, a lot of clients continue to suffer financially and would struggle to pay.

"I can’t continue to do this – there are too many expenses to cover and I’ve been running through my savings to keep the business alive."

After 40 years in operation, Morgenstern's will cease services on September 19.

Casting platform Spotlight has added non-binary and trans gender options to its actors' profiles.

The site says actors no longer need to choose a gender option upon sign up, but can add details later on.

READ MORE: Call to boycott casting company over option to exclude disabled actors

It hopes to increase its popularity among trans and gender diverse performers.

"We know that the education and language surrounding trans identity has the potential to shift and change," a statement said.

"Spotlight endeavours to listen to the transgender community in order to continue to accurately represent them as best we can."

Alexander Woolf, winner of the BBC Young Composer contest in 2012, has received a suspended sentence after uploading women's photographs to pornographic sites.

Woolf took clothed pictures of his victims off social media, uploaded them to the porn sites and asked users to photoshop their faces onto naked bodies.

Crown Prosecutor Varinder Hayre called the behaviour "extremely depraved and reprehensible".

"I am especially pleased that Woolf has to delete all these pictures from his devices and will not be able to contact his victims ever again."

Woolf must now pay each of his 15 victims £100 compensation and undertake rehabilitation programmes and 150 hours' community service.

The musical Wicked has appointed a Director of Social Responsibility.

Christina Alexander will take on the newly formed role, covering the production in London as well as its Broadway tour. 

Aimed at creating an "inclusive and respectful environment", the position will focus on attracting audiences "representative of a multicultural society".

Alexander will also be involved in identifying talent from underrepresented communities and working with Wicked's non-profit partners.

"I am honored to bring my skills, as well as knowledge and love of the industry, to Wicked and to focus on the business of turning ideas into actions," Alexander said.

West Norfolk Council will use its Towns Deal funding towards restoring an arts complex and building a new library.

It put forward the two ideas as part of its successful bid for £25m, the maximum Towns Deal grant available.

£4.4m has been slated for developing a multi-user community hub to replace Carnegie Library, with the council contributing an additional £2m.

£5m will be spent refurbishing St George’s Guildhall complex and adding a new creative hub.

The council says it will contribute £750,000 to the project, estimated to cost £9m, and plans to submit an application for Lottery funding later this year.

DCMS has sidestepped a recommendation to provide monthly updates on securing easier EU touring arrangements.

In its official response to the DCMS Committee's inquiry on the future of UK music festivals, the department repeats its previous claims of progress.

It did not agree, as recommended, to report to the committee monthly on its work on the issue.

"The Government recognises that there remain challenges for touring and is focused on continuing to work closely with the creative industries, including to keep them informed of progress," the department said.

"We consider this is the most appropriate channel for communicating and updating on the actions we are taking."

The committee's main recommendation - an insurance scheme for live events - was approved by Treasury earlier this month.

A third ask - standardised environmental objectives for licensing festivals - is a work in progress. 

DCMS says it will "continue to examine the role it can play in improving the sustainability of events" but did not explicitly commit to developing new standards.

The National Gallery says it won't respond to Pornhub's use of its nude classical artefacts on the X-rated website.

European institutions including the Louvre and Italy's Uffizi Gallery threatened to sue Pornhub for copyright infringement over use of their artworks in Classical Nudes, a new interactive guide to global erotic art.

Pornhub has removed their artworks as a result, but those from the National Gallery remain on the site.

A spokesperson told ArtsProfessional that it has not communicated with Pornhub over its "campaign" so as not to publicise it further.

"We will not be taking any action that directly or indirectly raises awareness of this project."