News

La Scala is to return more than €3m to Saudi Arabia following the collapse of a proposed €15m 5-year sponsorship deal, arranged by the venue’s new Chief Executive. The plans, which would also have seen the current Saudi Culture Minister appointed to the board, prompted backlash from civil rights groups and politicians.

The venue aims to create five flexible rehearsal rooms and a new 40- to 50-seat performance studio, as part of plans to make the grade II-listed building more “fit for purpose”.

Only around half of alumni, staff and students believe the drama school has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, and 34% said they did not know how to report an incident. In response, the school has announced it will invest £100k in a scheme to “accelerate a step change” on diversity.

One of the authors of the research, conducted at Canada’s McMaster University, said the results of brain scans made while actors were asked questions in and out of character show that it is almost as if individuals are “possessed” while performing.

Members of the House of Lords have asked the Government to investigate the effect of rising ticket prices on theatregoers, following a debate in parliament where concern was expressed that it is “gradually becoming too expensive for anyone to be able to attend major plays”.