Talawa is set to mount a High Court challenge to Arts Council England?s (ACE) decision to withdraw £4m of promised funding, which had been earmarked to enable the company to establish a dedicated home for Black theatre at the old Westminster Theatre in central London (AP issue 103, 1 August).
ACE took its decision following growing concerns about the company?s management structure and the project?s long-term viability, and is now conducting a review into Talawa?s revenue funding status. The Board of Talawa has appointed Bindman and Partners, to submit a Judicial Review to the High Court. A spokesperson for the lawyers said, ?Within a matter of months, the Arts Council has shifted from its historical position of full support for Talawa?s work and the new Westminster theatre project to one in which Talawa?s future as a theatre company is in peril and the half-built theatre may have to be abandoned. It is not too late for Arts Council England to think again, however, and that is what Talawa has urged it to do through the judicial review process.?
Published: 10-10-2005