Actors protest BBC Radio 3 drama cuts
A group of leading actors have signed a petition over the BBC’s plans to scrap drama on Radio 3.
The 20-strong group of actors, which includes Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen and Bill Nighy, wrote to BBC director general Tim Davie and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy calling for the decision to be reversed, or for the radio station to commit to broadcasting a play of the month in place of the drama programming.
The petition also asks for confirmation that there will be no reduction in the amount of drama platformed on BBC Radio 4.
“Audio drama is an art form in its own right. In all its many forms, drama on radio is part of the output which makes the BBC unique and as such needs to remain as a core public service asset,” the petition says, before adding that without the programming, “the vast majority of the population and all schoolchildren will never have the chance to hear these works virtually for free”.
The petition goes on to state that the audience reach of each original BBC radio drama is “greater than for all three stages at the National Theatre in a year”.
“It has been a breeding ground for writers so who is championing the next generation of playwrights?,” the group of actors asked. “It has also been a nurturing ground for actors. The world-renowned heritage of the genre is being abandoned by the very people who, for the time being at least, are the very best at making it.”
A spokesperson for the BBC told The Times that Radio 3 is “sharpening [its] focus” as a classical music network, while Radio 4 is considered “a better outlet for drama” by the broadcaster.
“The BBC will continue to be the biggest original audio drama commissioner in the UK and we are committed to the genre and to working with new and exciting writers as well as bringing a huge range of drama to new and existing audiences,” the spokesperson added.
The petition echoes calls made by The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, performers’ union Equity and the Society of Authors over the planned cuts last week.
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