The Stage

Bradford council cuts all subsidy to Twisting Yarn

Published Monday 26 March 2007 at 17:35 by Kevin Berry

After two years of successive budget cuts, the Bradford Council-funded Twisting Yarn company has now had all its subsidy axed.

The move is part of huge financial cuts in all Bradford council services. Twisting Yarn operates from the Alhambra Theatre, providing theatre for schools and for youth audiences. It is currently touring its acclaimed version of the Life of Pi nationally. The company will effectively cease operating at the beginning of April but the tour will continue, as advertised, until May 12.

Twisting Yarn’s artistic director Keith Robinson said: “We have always been putting out fires financially. We have brought in some sponsorship of tours but this cut takes the rug from under us. I have been heartened by messages of support and protest from all around the country.

“We’ve even had an online petition set up by an 11-year old boy. Young people are saying, ‘you’re so good why are they cutting your budget and not asking us what we think about it?’ There is to be another council meeting, this week, where questions have been tabled. I just hope that they listen to the people.”