The Week in Light & Sound
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Since September 2014, when tax relief for the sector was introduced, a total of £137m has been paid out in relief, covering 1,670 claims and 4,680 productions.
The tax policy follows similar schemes for other media such as film, television and video games. Touring shows can claim back 25% relief on eligible costs and other productions can claim 20%.
Society of London Theatre chief executive Julian Bird said the tax relief had “allowed producers to become more adventurous and compensated for reductions in funding from other sources”.
Reunion Blues - Liam Gallagher appears to have put an end to any hope of an Oasis reunion. The former frontman offered an olive branch to brother Noel via Twitter, telling him the pair should "get the BIG O back together and stop f****** about". The response from Noel was not a positive one. Liam tweeted: "I'll take that as a NO then as you were LG x."
Amazon Live - Amazon-owned audiobook giant Audible has revealed plans to produce live theatre productions in the UK, following its move into producing in the USA. Audible’s first stage production in the UK, co-produced with China Plate, is one-woman show On the Exhale, which runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A representative for Audible said the company had “definite plans” to produce more theatre in the UK, and had recently appointed a new head of theatre to oversee this side of the business.
Museum Piece - A theatre is to be built within the Natural History Museum in London for the first time, with a 357-seat venue that will host the European premiere of The Wider Earth. The theatre space will be purpose built, with an end-on stage and will have raked seating. The stage will have a seven-metre revolve and the theatre will be built within the museum’s Jerwood Gallery.
Natural History Museum director of engagement Clare Matterson said: “This is a really exciting creative collaboration - bringing together a hugely talented theatrical team and the Natural History Museum’s world-renowned scientific expertise. It makes perfect sense for the museum to host this production which is a gripping retelling of one of the most important voyages in scientific history.”
Going North - Birmingham, Greater Manchester and Leeds are all in the running to host Channel 4's new national headquarters, the broadcaster has announced. The company wants to move 300 of its 800 staff out of London to a national headquarters and two "creative hubs". The channel confirmed Leeds, Birmingham and Greater Manchester had progressed to the next stage of negotiations. The three locations are also in the running to house a new creative hub, alongside Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow.
Channel 4 will now enter into detailed discussions with the six selected cities over the summer. Alex Mahon, the chief executive of Channel 4, told the department of digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) select committee earlier this year that the final decision would be announced in October, with the actual move happening next year.
Under The Hammer - The first known studio recording of David Bowie is set for auction after being found in an old bread basket. The 1963 demo tape, rejected by Decca, features a 16-year-old Bowie - then known as David Jones - singing I Never Dreamed with his first band The Konrads. The tape, expected to fetch £10,000, is being sold by the band's drummer David Hadfield, who uncovered it in his loft. Auctioneer Paul Fairweather described the tape as a "significant recording, completely unique".
Endless Summer - As the UK heatwave continues, comparisons are made with the long hot summer of 1976. Aside from the sunshine and hosepipe bans, it was a newsworthy season music-wise.
Brian Wilson performed on stage with The Beach Boys for the first time in three years at a Day on the Green concert in Oakland, California. Cliff Richard became one of the first Western artists ever to perform in the Soviet Union when he gave a concert in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). An estimated 120,000 fans packed Knebworth House to see The Rolling Stones. Todd Rundgren, Lynyrd Skynyrd and 10cc perform. Boston released their eponymous debut studio album, Boston. A U.S. district court decision ruled that George Harrison had "subconsciously" copied The Chiffons' hit He's So Fine when he wrote the song My Sweet Lord. The official ABBA logo with the reversed 'B' was introduced.
(Jim Evans)
24 July 2018
