Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Royal Court faces closure

David Lister,Arts News Editor
Friday 20 November 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE ROYAL Court Theatre will have to go into liquidation if it does not raise pounds 3m by next May, its director, Stephen Daldry, warned yesterday.

The plight of one of Britain's most famous theatres illustrates the increasing difficulties recipients of lottery money face in raising the required private cash to match their awards.

If the centre for new writing - home of radical theatre since 1956 when it staged John Osborne's Look Back In Anger - fails to reopen, it will be a disaster for the arts and a severe embarrassment to the National Lottery.

Two members of the board, chaired by Sir John Mortimer,have resigned because of anxiety over the fund-raising process for the pounds 26m redevelopment.

The Royal Court - which has been staging a run of successes in the West End during the closure of its building - had to raise pounds 7m of private money but has managed just pounds 4m. Its redeveloped building in Sloane Square, south-west London, was due to open this month, but this has been rescheduled for next year - if it can raise the necessary cash.

Mr Daldry questioned the wisdom of the Government in insisting lottery recipients raise 25 per cent of the cost of their projects from private sources.

Roy Strong, Review page 5

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in