The Week in Lighting & Sound
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Rate Review Request - The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre have written to the government calling for a “fundamental review” of the planned increase in business rates over concerns this will have a "disproportionate" impact on theatres around the UK.
SOLT chief executive Julian Bird and UK Theatre head Cassie Chadderton have written a letter to chancellor Philip Hammond and local government secretary Sajid Javid urging a rethink on the hike. It comes after The Stage reported that higher business taxes, which come into force in April, threaten to wipe out local theatre subsidy. As business rates are based on rental values, rate increases will be highest in the capital, with West End theatres expecting to see steep rises.
The letter argues that theatre and the performing arts contribute to a “vibrant and thriving local environment”, making areas “richer culturally and financially”. The letter reads: “On behalf of our members, we are calling for a fundamental and longer-term review of business rates that gives rise to a system which avoids significant year on year movement, and reflects the ability to pay, accompanied by enhanced transitional measures for those whose rates may increase. The combined box office income of SOLT and UK Theatre’s membership was more than £1 billion across London and the rest of the UK, with 34 million tickets sold in 2015.”
Fight On - The Foo Fighters have been confirmed as headliners for Glastonbury 2017. The American rock band, who were due to headline in 2015 but had to pull out when frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg, revealed the news at a free concert in Frome, Somerset, last week. The band will play on Glastonbury's famous Pyramid stage on Saturday 25 June. Radiohead have also been confirmed to headline the festival, with the third act yet to be announced.
Hip-Hop Headliner - Hip-hop veteran Eminem has been confirmed to headline the UK's twin festivals Reading and Leeds this summer. It will be the rapper's third appearance at the festivals after being away from British stages for nearly two years. "His 2013 headline performance was incredible and we can't wait to have him back," Reading and Leeds organisers said, calling the singer's return "beyond exciting".
Maternity Leave - Beyonce has pulled out of this year's Coachella festival following advice from her doctors. She was due to headline both weekends at the Californian event, but has cancelled her appearance, promising to return in 2018. Beyonce's festival producer Goldenvoice said the singer had to pull out "following the advice of her doctors to keep a less rigorous schedule in the coming months". The singer announced late last year she was pregnant with twins.
Step Inside Love - A new musical based on the life of Cilla Black is to hold open auditions to find its star.The musical will premiere in Black's hometown of Liverpool in September, before touring nationwide. Featuring songs made famous by Black, as well as other 60s hits, the show has a book written by Jeff Pope. It is an adaptation of the mini series he wrote for ITV in 2014, which starred Sheridan Smith. Cilla – The Musical will be produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield, with Black's son Robert Willis as executive producer. Open auditions to cast the show's leading role will be held in cities across the country this spring.
(Jim Evans)
28 February 2017
