News: Actors accuse arts council of massive error over Orange Tree

The Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond, London. Photo: Noel Foster

Actors campaigning in support of the Orange Tree Theatre have accused Arts Council England of failing to engage with the theatre community, after they received a standard, almost pro forma letter from ACE in response to their concerns about the removal of the venues funding.

Equitys west and south-west London branch chair Andrew Macbean, who is leading the campaign in support of the Richmond upon Thames venue, labelled the funding bodys attitude as a serious concern.

He said that ACE had failed to explain why it had chosen to remove its financial support: Your words lack any real drive or passion to help the theatre I am incredulous you are content to let the chance to have a constructive discussion with significant representation of the industry pass you by.

Macbeans concerns were echoed by Equity general secretary Christine Payne, who said she was surprised at the lack of detail in ACEs response in the face of such strength of feeling and said she believed the branch was right to press this further.

Macbean wrote to ACE last month urging the body to explain its decision to remove Orange Tree Theatres entire, annual 380,000 grant from next year. The letter was signed by around 800 theatremakers, including David Tennant, Simon Russell Beale, Penelope Wilton and Derek Jacobi.

It has since gained further support from some 150 actors and others working in the industry including playwright Howard Brenton, Liverpool and Everyman Theatre artistic director Gemma Bodinetz and actors John Lithgow and Martin Shaw.

Arts council chair Peter Bazalgette responded, saying the amount of money applied for by organisations to ACEs funding programme considerably exceeded the available budget.

He said: Where organisations were unsuccessful in their applications to [this programme], it is by no means the end of our funding relationship with them.

Bazalgette added that ACE was committed to working with Orange Tree Theatre artistic director Paul Miller to help him and the organisation realise its ambition and retain the strong support it has from local audiences.

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News: Actors accuse arts council of massive error over Orange Tree