Osborne said: "Regional productions have dropped off over many years - even though the West End has been very strong in London - and I want to change that around. I want to make sure we get the benefit of our great theatre industry and our culture felt all over the country. More job opportunities for those working in the theatre sector as well as those working in the tourist industry will be created as a result of the scheme."
The major new tax relief scheme was confirmed by the government earlier this year and means that from this week, touring shows can apply for 25% relief and non-touring productions will be eligible for a 20% tax credit on qualifying production costs. It will apply to plays, musicals, opera, ballet, dance and circus shows and is expected to bring in up to £120m for touring and commercial productions in future years. It is expected to benefit around 250 production companies a year.
Bush Bonanza - Kate Bush has followed her much-publicised stage comeback at the Hammersmith Apollo by becoming the first woman to have eight albums in the charts at the same time. Two of the singer's albums are in the top 10 of the new chart, and eight overall in the top 40. It comes after she returned for her first live concerts for 35 years. The only artists ahead of Bush are Elvis Presley, who had 12 entries in the top 40 after his death in 1977 and the Beatles who had 11 in 2009.
Official Charts Company chief executive, Martin Talbot, said, "Her new live shows have created a huge stir, but for them to help push her catalogue to make such a significant sales impact is further evidence of the love that the British public have for her music, from generation to generation."
Festival Notes - Organisers of this year's Edinburgh International Festival report that ticket sales have passed the £3m mark for the first time. Some 80% of available tickets were issued, and overall audience attendance is estimated at more than 415,000. The curtain came down on this year's festival with a Scottish Chamber Orchestra fireworks concert on Sunday. The spectacle marked the end of Sir Jonathan Mills's eight-year tenure as EIF director. "Once again we've been treated to the world's finest artists sharing their creativity and their work, which has ranged from the epic to the intimate, from east to west and everywhere in between," said Mills.
Fore! - Midge Ure is among a number of big names who will perform at a one-off concert to mark the staging of golf's Ryder Cup in Scotland. The Ultravox front man will perform the 80s classic Vienna at the Ryder Cup Gala concert, at The Hydro venue in Glasgow on 24 September. The concert will also feature Texas, Amy Macdonald and Nile Rodgers of Chic. The four-day Ryder Cup, between Europe and America, begins at Gleneagles, Perthshire, on 26 September.
(Jim Evans)
