ACE exodus signals worries for theatre

Published Wednesday 27 September 2006 at 15:50 by Alistair Smith

Arts Council England’s theatre department is set to lose two of its most senior figures as part of a radical shake-up, only months before the sector learns of its fate in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review.

Director of theatre Nicola Thorold and director of touring Elizabeth Adlington are leaving the organisation following a comprehensive restructuring of ACE’s national office, due to come into force on October 31.

The pair have more than 15 years’ experience of the arts council between them and their loss will be seen as a heavy blow, especially with the theatre sector becoming increasingly apprehensive of the approaching funding round.

It is understood that both turned down altered positions as part of the restructuring after their current posts were scrapped.

A spokeswoman for ACE confirmed that both Thorold and Adlington were leaving and would be followed by executive director of arts Kim Evans, who is quitting - although not as part of the restructure - in the new year. Chief executive Peter Hewitt has also previously made clear he does not intend to stay beyond 2008.

She added: “We acknowledge that there will be anxiety about this but would reinforce the fact that the theatre department remains robust with Isobel Hawson remaining in her post as head of theatre. The transition into the new structure will be carefully managed and the principal theatre officers in the regional offices will remain in place.”

Both women were thought of as having forged solid links between ACE and the theatre community and were understood to be well liked by practitioners.

Former Theatrical Management Association president AK Bennett-Hunter said he believed both would be greatly missed by the arts council and theatre sector alike.

He added: “To lose that level of experience all at once will be a great loss. It’s a shame that through the restructuring, ACE has lost two highly thought of and experienced directors and it’s now extremely important that the new posts are filled quickly with the comprehensive spending review approaching.”

An announcement from the Treasury regarding the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s allocation for 2009-11 is expected later this year. The DCMS will then announce what percentage of this is passed on to ACE. A final decision is likely to take place at some point in the spring of next year.