Level of respect

Published Monday 15 January 2007 at 10:10

I read with interest about the campaign being launched by the big seven regional theatres regarding their efforts to persuade Gordon Brown not to undermine funding in the theatre sector (January 11, page 1). This is a great initiative and one that should be supported.

I also think a similar initiative which creates an alliance of small and midscale companies should be established. It is not satisfactory to be told by Arts Council England to “expect the worst” and then sit idly by waiting for our funding to be reduced, or at worst cut.

Meanwhile I question the claim by the ‘big seven’ that the “first to suffer” will be work for diverse audiences. Is this because these theatres do not feel that work by BME artists is integral to the identity and purpose of their buildings? Why do the theatres feel it necessary to use the BME sector as a threat?

For several years initiatives such as The Black Regional Initiative in Theatre (BRIT), Whose Theatre, Eclipse Theatre and others have been arguing the case for better integration and the embedding of diversity within the mainstream of theatre life. Are these theatres now saying that such work is extra to their core work and is therefore under the most threat?

It would be better to argue that unemployment and a reduction of commissions and productions will result across all sectors of their work than to use BME work as a scapegoat. Essentially the big seven and Gordon Brown need to realise that to have a truly diverse theatre ecology all work needs to be funded and respected at the same level.

The big seven have exposed thinking that reflects the fragility of the BME sector in regional theatres and how dependant it is on the will of those who choose to support it. I call on them to make a public declaration of their commitment to BME work and to avoid using it as a political football to prick the conscience of the government. Meanwhile, Gordon Brown should listen to their wider claims that the great work they have done will be undermined by any investment that doesn’t keep in line with inflation.

Topher Campbell

Artistic director

The Red Room

Ronalds Road

London N5