London Bubble disputes ACE decision to withdraw funding

Published Friday 1 February 2008 at 17:55 by Miranda Bryant

London Bubble Theatre Company has accused Arts Council England of using “partial and unsound” evidence in its decision to withdraw all of the organisation’s funding from April.

The community organisation claims ACE has ignored much of its educational work and has demanded an emergency meeting with senior officers at the funding body.

London Bubble said it strongly disputes the decision, arguing it is one of the only theatres in the capital to introduce non-theatregoers to the art form.

The company said its campaign against the proposed cuts received support from audiences, teachers and the House of Commons and added that it plans to seek legal advice to consider its future options.

Chairman of London Bubble Sandy Craig said: “While we don’t dispute the arts council’s right to make cuts, the very short notice between the announcement of their recommendation to its implementation puts us in a very difficult position.”

An ACE spokesman said the arts council stands by its original decision and added: “We acknowledge the company’s heritage and long held role as a children’s theatre company, but we don’t believe our investment will be best served by London Bubble in the future.”