The Stage

Exclusive: Livingstone reveals London theatre plans

Published Thursday 16 February 2012 at 10:19 by Natalie Woolman

Mayor of London candidate Ken Livingstone will link West End theatre ticket deals with Oyster card usage, if he is elected.

Speaking to The Stage about his wider cultural agenda, Livingstone also said he would work with Transport for London to utilise advertising space across the capital’s Tube and bus network, to promote Theatreland.

He said that “promotion of the quality and extent of the West End theatres to a London, national and global audience” would be one of his aims if he is elected in May.

He added: “I will set this as a cross-agency priority for London and partners, and involve Transport for London in providing advertising space and other support such as ticket offers linked to the Oyster card.”

As well as using advertising opportunities available through TfL, Livingstone pledged to support both the subsidised and commercial arts in London through the mayor’s office by using “the advertising and marketing facilities at its disposal”.

Livingstone, who is running in the mayoral election against incumbent Boris Johnson, also said that “in these straitened times it is not possible to promise new investment” but he vowed to campaign against further cuts to arts in the capital.

As well as promoting the sector, Livingstone said he thought an efficient transport system, parking restrictions and anti-crime measures would be among West End producers’ concerns. His policy team is currently contacting representatives from the capital’s business community to inform his manifesto and he said this would “definitely include” spokespeople for the West End.

He added: “The present mayor began his term of office by declaring he was an unashamed cultural elitist. He has followed this through by focusing his administration’s activity on promoting learning Latin and Greek and classical music, and focusing attention on London’s heritage sector.

“While these are all worthy of support, this is too narrow and inward-looking an approach to supporting the culture and arts of a world city like London. My approach will be to promote the new as well as the old, the popular and niche, commercial and publicly-funded.”

However, a spokesman for Johnson said: “This is a false caricature - judge a mayor not just by what he promises but by what he delivers. The mayor champions cultural excellence across all art forms, for Londoners and on the international stage. His support encompasses the cutting edge and new, as well as our city’s amazing heritage and reflecting our city’s dynamic diversity.

“This summer the mayor is investing in an unparalleled programme of cultural activity to celebrate the 2012 Games, which will bring outdoor arts and live performance to every corner of the capital and aims to create a legacy for the sector. The proof is in the pudding and the mayor makes no apologies for trying to ensure less privileged children in state schools have the chance to learn Latin or play an instrument.”

Livingstone will announce his cultural policies in more detail nearer to the election, which is due to be held on May 3.