The UK Sound Archive includes recordings of local accents and dialects used to monitor the evolution of the English language and sounds of rare or extinct wildlife. It also includes full recordings of theatre productions going back 40 years, including the opening night of Hamlet in the Old Vic, starring Peter O'Toole and directed by Laurence Olivier.The British Library estimated it would cost around £18m to digitise the most "at risk" recordings and to build the facilities needed to digitise the remaining two thirds of the collection.
Ticket Sales - Leading players from from the world of entertainment and sport have issued a call for new controls on websites selling event tickets. They want resale websites to be required to publish the names of ticket sellers and the tickets' face value. The call came in a letter to the Independent on Sunday signed by heads of sporting and cultural bodies and entertainers' management companies. The letter warns that the way the secondary ticketing market currently operates can seriously undermine efforts to ensure fair prices for event-goers. "It's high time the government stopped sticking up for secondary platforms, and decided to put fans first," the letter continues. The proposals have been suggested as a change to the Consumer Rights Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
Top Tip - Synth-pop trio Years & Years have come top of the BBC Music Sound Of 2015 list, which highlights the best new artists for the year ahead. The list was compiled using tips from 139 UK-based critics, broadcasters and bloggers. Previous winners include Adele, Ellie Goulding and Jessie J. The London group supported last year's winner Sam Smith on tour in 2014. Singer Olly Alexander said coming top of the list "means we've got a real shot" at making an impact. "People are going to listen to what we're going to do, and we've just got to not muck it up," he said. "We've got to make the most of it and deliver."
Golden Oldie - The first record Elvis Presley ever made has sold at auction for $300,000 (£198,000). An unnamed buyer placed the winning bid online for the 78 rpm recording of My Happiness, the first time it has come up for public sale. The auction was held at Presley's former home Graceland on what would have been his 80th birthday. Presley recorded the ballad in 1953 when he was 18-years-old.
More Saigon - Miss Saigon has extended its West End run at the Prince Edward Theatre until September. Previously booking until 25 April 25, the musical has been extended by three months, and will now run until 26 September this year.
Love Revival - She Loves Me will be revived at the Landor Theatre in London later this year. The musical - which premiered on Broadway in 1963 - will run at the Clapham venue from 4 February to 7 March, with a press night on 9 February.
(Jim Evans)
