Theatre in Crisis

Theatre in Crisis VERA GOTTLIEB On 4 December 1988 a conference on Theatre in Crisis was held at University of London Goldsmiths' College. The conference was convened by Vera Gottlieb, Nesta Jones, and Simon Trussler from the Drama Department of Goldsmiths' College in association with New Theatre Quarterly. Chaired by Clive Barker (co-editor of NTQ); an initial platform discussion took place with John McGrath (writer and director), Bev Randall (administrator ) and Tilda Swinton (actress). The conference then sub-divided into four groups to debate many of the issues facing "mainstream" theatre, theatre outside the "mainstream," questions ofalternative funding and subsidy, and the need for a new monthly newssheet on contemporary drama and theatre. The conference resolved: I) to launch a new monthly newsletter; 2) to hold future conferences on the current state ofthe theatre; 3) to support unanimously the Conference Declaration printed below. A number of signatures have subsequently been added to the Declaration. A report on the conference has appeared in NTQ, 5, 19 (1989), 210-216. The Conference Declaration We believe that - the full and free development of every individual depends on the full and free development of all - cultural activity is an essential part of this social process in which theatre has a distinct and important role to play - for theatre to play th.is role it must be as diverse as the society it represents. It must be linked to and therefore accessible to that diversity of needs and interests whether they be national, regional, local, community-based. gender-based, ethnic, educational , rooted in class, age, sexuality, or stemming from physical circumstance - a free market economy and private sponsorship cannot guarantee the necessary conditions for theatre to fulfil its many functions Theatre in Crisis - in the current climate of increasing authoritarianism and regulation, the health of the theatre along with cultural activity of all kinds has been seriously imparred and is under further threat - for theatre to regain and sustain its vigorous social role, for theatre to grow and be fully creative, the foundation of its funding at a level adequate for its basic needs and future development must be public, and that the management and distribution of that funding should be democraticany organized and devolved. Steve Abrams Robert Gordon John McGrath Mave Alexander Vera Gottlieb Genista Mcintosh Annette Baader Nick Gribble Gary McKay Mary Jeremiab Baldry Malcolm Griffiths David Margolies Clive Barker Trevor Griffiths Miriam Margolyes Yolande Bastide Peter Hall Undine Marshfield Gary Bates Sheila Hancock Isabelle Maynard Nina Berkowitz Stuart Handley Paul Moriarty Sarab Boycott Josie Harvitt Terri O'Connor David Bradby Kate Harwood Kate O'Reilly George Brandt Ronald Hayman J. Petherbridge Ted Braun Elliot Head Harold Pinter Howard Brenton Philip Hedley Jonathan Pryce Yvonne Brewster Margot Heinemann Diana Quick Pam Brighton Peter Holland Bev Randall Finola Bryan S. Holmes Alan Read Rotherhithe M.C. Bumel Didi Hopkins Rob Ritchie Simon Callow Anthony Hozier Phil Robins Colin Chambers Nike Imoru Brian Roberts Beth Chatten Audrey Janovich Phyllida Shaw Caryl Churchill Ben Janovich M. Soul Annette Clancy Leyla Janovich Gary Stevens Dennis Clark Sean Jarret Jntiet Stevenson Max Stafford Clark Nesta Jones Janet Suzman Annette Clarkson John Joyce Tilda Swinton Simon Cooper H.S. Kalirai Carmen Thomas Charlotte Cornwell Sara Kestelman Eiry Thomas Susan Croft Juliet Knight Simon Trussler David Edgar Verity Lambert Trevor Walker Tim Etchells Jane Lapolaire Timberlake Wertenbaker Lyn Gardner Deborah Levy Arnold Wesker Lizzie Goddard Mark Lewis ...