Copyright Matters - Heads of high-profile arts organisations, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and English National Opera, have written to demand greater protection on copyright for creatives. Tamara Harvey, Daniel Evans and Andrew Leveson of the RSC, as well as ENO’s Jenny Mollica and the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Alex Beard have all signed a letter expressing concern over the effect the government’s plans to "diminish creative copyright" could have on "a fragile ecosystem" for artists.
The leaders, who also include in their ranks regional venue leaders such as Bristol Old Vic chief executive Charlotte Geeves, Tiata Fahodzi boss Chinonyerem Odimba and the Donmar Warehouse’s Henny Finch, all oppose an envisaged exemption to copyright law for AI companies looking to train their technology.
The government’s eagerness to unleash the potential of AI has left many creative leaders concerned about the impact on artists’ livelihoods, with the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tom Stoppard speaking out on the subject, reports The Stage.
Retirement Party - The Searchers, billed as the ‘longest-running band in pop history’, are set to play their last ever show at Glastonbury 2025. The Liverpool band, best known for their version of The Drifters’ hit Sweets For My Sweet, Sugar And Spice and Don’t Throw Your Love Away, will end nearly 70 years of touring with their debut at Worthy Farm on the Acoustic Stage on Friday 27 June.
Founding member John McNally told BBC News: “A Glastonbury debut at 83, can anyone top that? I don’t think life gets any better, does it? There will be a few nerves, but in a good way, and we’ll be nicely warmed up from our shows in June. We can’t wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell.”
Epstein Grand - Test events will be held at Liverpool's Epstein Theatre after its reopening has been confirmed. The Grade II listed venue on Hanover Street, which opened in 1913, was shut in 2023 after Liverpool City Council said it could no longer provide financial support. They still retain the freehold on the theatre, which has now been leased by property management firm JSM Company Group Ltd to the Theatrical Times Ltd partnership.
Test events will be held over spring and summer ahead of a full autumn programme of shows to be launched on 19 September, which marks the birthday of the late Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Anthony Proctor-Williams recently confirmed he would return as the theatre's general manager and said: "I can't wait to reveal the first new season and officially launch it with an amazing gala evening, aptly being held on what would have been Brian Epstein's birthday."
Royal Engagement - The Pet Shop Boys will play an outdoor concert at a royal estate. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe will perform at Sandringham in Norfolk on 14 August. Giles Cooper from Heritage Live Festivals said he was thrilled to have confirmed the "legendary" artists, who have sold 50m records since forming in 1981. They will be joined by Scissor Sisters for the show, which kicks off a series of concerts at the venue, featuring the likes of Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé.
(Jim Evans)
