The Bolshoi Theatre is a wreck – physically, artistically and on just about any other term you want to consider it. Things have deteriorated so far that last month the Russian government stepped in to seize control. But is it too late? – The Scotsman 10/18/00
Category: issues
WHEN FLATTERY GETS YOU NOWHERE
A regularly outspoken critic of the Royal Opera House’s former management, Raymond Gubbay has applied to run the institution after Michael Kaiser’s departure. In his application Gubbay called the Opera House “the preserve of the rich, the influential and those concerned with corporate entertainment.” – The Times (UK) 10/18/00
- I CAN FIX THIS: Gubbay “calls for a higher status for the Executive Director which would put him or her above the Music Director and the Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet. He also wants more performances, longer production runs and cheaper seats.” – London Evening Standard 10/18/00
CULTURE SQUEEZE
San Francisco’s explosive economy, and skyrocketing rents, are threatening the city’s vibrant arts scene. “Artists feel under siege – and many fear that the city that once sent a generation of young people on the road following Jack Kerouac in the ’50s, turned the world on to the Summer of Love in the ’60s and nurtured the creation of the Pulitzer-winning AIDS drama “Angels in America” in the ’90s is in danger of becoming one big office park with Victorian architecture.” – San Francisco Chronicle 10/17/00
ENGLISH AMONG MANY
The English language has spread so far around the world that many expect it to be the dominant language of the future, the international language. But will it be? It’s not at all certain – just as one example, “people who expect English to triumph over all other languages are sometimes surprised to learn that the world today holds three times as many native speakers of Chinese as native speakers of English.” – The Atlantic 11/00
NEA INCREASE ASSURED
The US Senate passes a $7 million increase in the budget for the National Endowment for the Arts – its first significant increase since 1992. – Backstage 10/16/00
THE ETERNAL QUESTION
What is art? The Age goes out and asks artists and the general public to give their definitions (in one sentence). No two answers were the same. – The Age (Melbourne) 10/16/00
PLAYING KEEP-AWAY WITH THE CENSORSHIP RULES
Australia’s politicians have gone on a rampage of legislation tightening censorship rules. “Film censorship rules have to be tightened next time they come up for review. Censorship of magazines has already been tightened. Porn has been squeezed. A review of video games is under way.” But a survey of Australians says that Aussies don’t see much need for these clampdowns. – Sydney Morning Herald 10/16/00
ARTS LEADER ATTACKS “LAZY” COLLEAGUES
“Graham Sheffield, artistic director of the Barbican Centre, in London, has broken with convention to launch an unprecedented attack on his colleagues. It is the first time someone that from inside the arts world has publicly alleged that weaknesses and unaccountability in world-famous institutions such as the National Theatre and Royal Academy were failing the public.” – The Independent (UK) 10/16/00
WHO’S THE CULTURAL CAPITAL?
Melbourne likes to think of itself as the cultural capital of Australia. But is the city’s position slipping? “Melbourne used to love itself and support itself, but that’s happening in Sydney now, where there’s a sense that it’s trendy to be at the theatre.” – The Age (Melbourne) 10/16/00
ARTS SECRETARY UNDER ATTACK
“After nearly three-and-a-half relatively smooth years as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, everything seems to be going wrong for Chris Smith at the same time. The future of the National Lottery is in doubt. Tomorrow the BBC is launching its new 10pm BBC News, against his wishes. The Millennium Dome is an ongoing disaster. There has been widespread criticism of the performances of subsidised institutions such as the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House.” – The Independent (UK) 10/15/00