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Hot News - an extra HALF MILLION pounds for english language theatre in Wales |
This morning the Culture Minister Alun Pugh announced an extra half a million pounds for english language theatre in Wales.The announcement came as a big suprise as he addressed delegates at the Arts Council of Wales's annual conference at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. This is the text of the official WAG statement: Minister announces half a million extra money to theatre in Wales Theatre in Wales will get an additional half a million pounds next year to develop English language theatre. Alun Pugh, Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport announced this substantial additional investment at the Arts Council for Wales annual conference in Aberystwyth, today [10 May]. Announcing this extra investment, the Minister said: "Wehave had a designated national performing theatre company ever since the Arts Council in 1998 awarded that status to Clwyd Theatr Cymru. But in south Wales particularly, there isn't nearly enough product. Many of the ingredients are present. We have production capacity in Swansea, and we have seen physical improvements in Cardiff. "This additional investment will make a substantial improvement in the quantity and quality of work appearing on Welsh stages. I have tasked the Arts Council of Wales to provide me with advice and recommendations in good time ahead of the money coming on stream next year." Professor Dai Smith, Chair of the Arts Council of Wales said: "We are absolutely delighted that the Minister has been able to announce further annual revenue of £500,000 to help develop and establish English language theatre in Wales. We will be advising the Minister on how this money can be spent to deliver high quality theatre to people across Wales." In his speech, Alun Pugh celebrated the good work that had been done by theatre in Wales. The Wales Millennium Centre "The Wales Millennium Centre has been a huge artistic success, with programming ranging from popular West End shows to WNO productions, and access for a fiver. It's rapidly developing a world reputation." Regional Theatres "In Caernarfon with Galeri, in Newport with the Riverfront, in Brecon with Theatre Brycheiniog and at Theatr Mwldan in Cardiganshire and in Milford Haven at the Torch, where last year the Theatrical Management Association Awards recognised the work of Peter Doran as the Torch embarks on its multi-million pound development. "The Arts Outside Cardiff scheme has given venues and production companies the possibility of realising new ambitions to create and tour work and to bring sought after product to Wales and co-produce." Developing New Audiences "The resourcing of the organisation Audience Wales heralds new tools for market development and audience development. The gains are concentrated in the south of our nation but should be developed across more of the country as the theatre going habit is built back into the nation's habits. "The initial impact study work on the WMC's effect on audiences indicates an increase in audiences all round in other venues which may have felt threatened. Appetite for theatre and performances seem to be growing. "The Welsh Assembly Government has supported initiatives such as Clwyd Theatr Cymru's mobile tour, taking theatre of tremendous quality into Leisure centres and places where access to the theatre is unusual and established." Welsh Language Theatre "£1m a year has been established by the Welsh Assembly Government to support Welsh Language Theatre in the creation and first work of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru." Theatre in Cardiff "In Cardiff, the production base for new theatre in Wales will be enhanced by the exciting prospect of the coming together of Sgript Cymru with the Sherman in a revamped Sherman Theatre where new synergies with the Royal Welsh College of Music an Drama can be fostered. "But theatre is not a merely bricks and mortar issues, it's a people issue. It's about the creative conditions for writing producing, directing and them presenting and engaging. "It's about the collaborations that creative individuals build to form a company ethos, a style and an approach. It is about experiment and finding new forms - something a number of our Welsh based companies such a Hijinx, Volcano, Earthfall, No Fit State Circus and some of our notable individual artists, have established strongly." For further information please contact Lowri Jones 029 2089 8557 |
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| keith morris e-mail: keith@artx.co.uk |
Wednesday, May 10, 2006 |
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