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NEW writing has always been crucial to the theatre in Wales. Most theatre companies supported by the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) create new work. Why? Because there is very little established repertoire for theatre for young people or theatre in the Welsh language, as examples. ACW’s support for new plays has always been widespread. In answer to the Writers’ Guild ACW reported that it had supported 37 contracts of work for writ-ers in the year 1998-1999. Peter Morgan talks about the new writing fund being cut: there is no such fund; comparisons with Scotland do not work because most of Wales’s subsidised theatre is new writing. He also referred to ACW’s chair-man’s point that there are “flaws” in ACW’s Drama Strategy. This relates to only one element of the strategy which is Theatre for Young People and not new theatre writing. Furthermore, it concerns the mechanics of how ACW works with partners. The aim of the strategy, namely to create sustainable, high-quality drama for all people in Wales to enjoy, in a climate of decreasing funding, remains. ACW has had tough discussions with the Writers’ Guild and its members’ arguments have given ACW confidence to proceed with the new writing initiative (a bilingual company with a dedicated centre or centres of activity) and ACW is funding the programme presented by Dalier Sylw. Yes, ACW would like to provide more subsidy and has given an under-taking that it will review its funding to the writing initiative over the next year. One of ACW’s most serious challenges is how to sustain so many full-time organisations over the long term and this has led to such decisions as the competition for the writing initiative. ACW’s report on the competition pays considerable respect to Made In Wales. ACW consulted on a new writing initiative and there was strong support for the concept of centralising resources. The Writers’ Guild has done what it told ACW it would; it is lobbying hard for adequate funding for new writing and ACW continues to listen carefully. ACW has done what it said it would and has invited bids, formed a view, awarded the initiative to a company. Michael Baker is Arts Council of Wales Artform Development Director. |
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Thursday, March 9, 2000 |
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