The UK cultural sector is facing an unprecedented crisis as Theatres, Concerts and Festivals remain shuttered despite some lifting of lockdown restrictions. Sir Nicholas Hyter, formerly of the National Theatre, tells Newsnight ‘the entire UK cultural ecosystem is facing break down’.
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On Friday 3 July, all over the UK, theatres were wrapped in pink tape to highlight their plight. Actors, stage hands, orchestra members, set painters, directors, have been sending out an SOS to the government that not only are their livelihoods in jeopardy, but that cultural venues, from the smallest theatre to the Royal Opera House in London are under immediate threat without a substantial financial package.
The Prime Minister said that he would set out a timetable for the arts in England next week, but there was no detail of what funds might follow for an industry which employs more than two million people, and generates almost £11 billion for the UK economy.
In Scotland the Culture Minister today announced a £10 million relief fund for Arts Venues in the country – in Wales it is £7 million and in Northern Ireland there is a £4 million emergency fund.
Kirsty Wark talks about the crisis the UK cultural sector faces with Sir Nicholas Hytner the artistic director of the Bridge Theatre and to the artistic director of the Pitlochry Theatre, Elizabeth Newman.
Newsnight is the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs TV programme – with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.
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