The Week in Lighting & Sound

Council Concern - Arts Council England has admitted it is "hugely concerned" about the future of artists' free movement within the EU following the Brexit vote last month. National director of communication Mags Patten said the council was "really, really worried" about the issue following the UK's vote to leave the EU, and confirmed ACE was preparing to lobby the government in favour of free movement. Speaking at a London Writers' Week event about the state of the theatre industry, Patten said ACE was uncertain whether UK arts organisations would still have access to European culture funds. She stated, "The other area which really really worries us is freedom of movement. It's a huge concern to us that that is clearly not guaranteed at the moment...We have to be open, we have to be international in our outlook, and the free exchange of artists and ideas is absolutely critical to the work you all do. We will be working hard to lobby and advocate within government to make sure that any new regime works for artists and writers." she said.

Live Cinema - Rufus Norris's production of The Threepenny Opera will be broadcast live to cinemas from the National Theatre. The musical, which stars Rory Kinnear, Rosalie Craig and Haydn Gwynne, will become the latest NT Live show when it is broadcast on 22 September. It features design by Vicki Mortimer, choreography by Imogen Knight, lighting by Paule Constable and sound by Paul Arditti.

Legal Action - Sir Cliff Richard has confirmed he is taking legal action against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police over live coverage of a police raid at his home. The singer said in a statement he had instructed his lawyers to start formal proceedings to determine whether or not the behaviour of the broadcaster and police was "justified and proportionate". The singer said his life was "effectively turned upside down" and his reputation "was unnecessarily damaged" after officers investigating claims of historical sex offences were filmed searching his Berkshire apartment back in 2014, leading to him being publicly named.

Backstage Learning - Portsmouth's New Theatre Royal is launching a new BTEC course for young people, enabling them to gain backstage and technical experience at the venue. As well as learning performance skills at Highbury College, which is partnering with the theatre for the course, students will spend one day a week at the theatre learning about sound engineering, stage lighting and stage management. The two-year BTEC Level 3 in Performing Arts is the first of its kind in Portsmouth, with the resulting qualification equal to three A Levels. The New Theatre Royal reopened in October last year after a three-year closure and major renovation works. The course will have its first intake in September. For more on the recently renovated New Theatre Royal, see the March 2016 issue of LSi.

Off Stage - Singer Chaka Khan has said she is entering rehab for "a dependence on prescription pain medications" and will have to miss some upcoming concerts. She told the Associated Press she had been "battling an addiction to the same medication that led to Prince's death". The Grammy-winning singer said she has "voluntarily entered the programme to get healthy and stay that way". She should be back on tour on 1 August, her website said.

(Jim Evans)

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