The Week in Light & Sound
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Only 2% said theatres, cinemas and art venues should be the top priority, just below pubs at 4%, while 12% said arts venues should be the government’s lowest priority. When it comes to pubs, 4% said reopening them should be the government’s top priority, compared with 24% who said they should this should be the lowest priority. Only 8% of the public said the government should prioritise universities above the other types of establishments. But almost two in five people (39%) ranked them as their second priority, making it the most popular choice after schools and nurseries.
In The Ring - Kneehigh Theatre, Zippos Circus and Hofesh Shechter Company are among more than 500 arts organisations to secure funding in the latest allocation of grants from the Culture Recovery Fund. The West End production of The Mousetrap, which recently backtracked on plans to begin performances this month, receives £228,973 to help restart performances to socially distanced audiences.
In total, 588 comedy clubs, circuses, festivals, regional theatres and local museums have been awarded a share of more than £76m. The money follows on from the £257m announced earlier, and supports organisations with grants of up to £1m. Further grant awards of up to £3m, as well as £270m in repayable cultural finance, will follow. All are from the £1.57bn package announced to support culture.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This is more vital funding to protect cultural gems across the country, save jobs and prepare the arts to bounce back. Through Arts Council England we are delivering the biggest ever investment in the arts in record time. Hundreds of millions of pounds are already making their way to thousands of organisations. These awards build on our commitment to be here for culture in every part of the country.”
Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette musical Jagged Little Pill has received 15 Tony nominations, ahead of an awards ceremony that will honour a season cut short by COVID-19.
Broadway theatres have been shut since March, a fact reflected by the limited scope of this year's field. Jagged Little Pill, which was inspired by Morissette's 1995 album, is one of only three shows up for best musical. No date has been set for this year's ceremony, originally scheduled for 7 July, though it is likely the awards will be presented virtually in early December.
Farewell - Gordon Haskell, the guitarist and singer who scored a major chart hit late in his career, has died aged 74. He released his first album in 1969, but failed to make the UK charts for the next three decades, despite releasing eight more solo albums. However, his 2001 track How Wonderful You Are became a surprise hit, reaching number two in the UK singles chart.
It was narrowly beaten to the Christmas number one spot by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman's Somethin' Stupid. But that didn't stop How Wonderful You Are from surpassing The Beatles' Hey Jude and Frank Sinatra's My Way in becoming Radio 2's most-requested song ever. Haskell had previously played in The Fleur de Lys and spent a short period as a bassist and singer in King Crimson.
Virtual Concert - Former One Direction star Niall Horan has announced a one-off virtual concert to help raise funds for his crew. He will perform on 7 November from the Royal Albert Hall, with fans able to purchase tickets (priced at £16) to tune in. "I urge all the artists, some of who are friends of mine, to do the same. If you're sticking on a virtual gig, you should put some funds towards your own crew if you're meant to be touring," said Horan.
(Jim Evans)
20 October 2020
