ACE is to provide £16.7m - equivalent to 70% of the total cost - with the London venue intending to raise the remainder through trusts, philanthropists and audiences. The work had originally been announced in March last year and was planned as part of a larger, £120m redevelopment of the complex following significantly increased attendance numbers to the Thames-side complex in the wake of the 2007 refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall.
The redevelopment would have seen the creation of a 'Festival Wing' including a 'glass pavilion' rehearsal space large enough to accommodate an orchestra. However, those plans were set aside in February following the intervention of London's mayor Boris Johnson who pledged to support a campaign to preserve part of the Southbank estate as an area for skateboarders. The Southbank Centre's management has not yet abandoned hopes for the larger project and said they are "still working to resolve the funding of a wider scheme for the Festival Wing, which will deliver new space for art and culture, alongside major public realm and service improvements".
In The Ring - Avatar director James Cameron has teamed up with Cirque Du Soleil to create a touring arena show based on his 3D blockbuster Avatar. The show is expected to begin a global tour in late 2015, before the release of three Avatar sequels currently in pre-production. The award-winning 2009 epic is Hollywood's highest grossing film ever. Cameron previously worked with Cirque Du Soleil in 2012, executive producing its 3D film Worlds Away.
"Over the years, I have discovered the extraordinary talents and imaginations of both the artists and the creative forces behind Cirque du Soleil," said Cameron. "I know we share the common goal of bringing audiences to another level of entertainment experiences. I look forward to doing just that on this project."
Noises Off - A US touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar starring former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon has been cancelled 10 days before it was due to start. Lydon was to play King Herod in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, along with Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams as Mary Magdalene. The 54-city tour had been scheduled to begin in New Orleans on 9 June and include stops in New York and Boston. Producers have yet to comment on the reason for the show's cancellation.
Arts in Education - Arts Council Wales and the Welsh Government have revealed they will commit £20m million to improving how the arts are used in education from this autumn. The fund, which is expected to be distributed over five years from this September, will see ACW and the government each provide £10m.
It will be used for projects that link to the recommendations of an independent report published last autumn, which looked at the relationship between the arts and the country's school curriculum.
(Jim Evans)
