Theatrical appeals for lottery cash
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.It might have seemed an unlucky partnership to choose, but Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were optimistic yesterday as they descended on the Arts Council to deliver an application for lottery funding.
They were represented by the actors Roger Roseboom and Margaret Boughton, who are hoping for a grant of £200,000 to supplement the £650,000 which has been raised to build a 120-seat theatre in Hampton Hill for Teddington Theatre Club, in south-west Lond o n.
More discreet applications also came in from Sheffield Recreation Band Club, Morcambe Youth Band and the Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe. The Arts Council expects to make grants totalling at least £100m in the next year.
The highest-profile supplicants on the first day for applications came from the Royal Opera House, which sent Jeremy Isaacs, its director, principal ballerinas Darcey Bussell and Viviana Durante and assorted sopranos and baritones.
Mr Isaacs was in rollicking mood, accusing the chairman of the English Arts Council's lottery board, Peter Gummer, of being Father Christmas and flattening journalists who suggested that the Royal Opera House, which is asking for some £50m to fund its repair and redevelopment, was an elitist use of lottery cash.
Meanwhile, the successful appearance of the Royal Opera House celebrities was viewed with relief by press officers. "Getting them all in the right place looking in the right direction is a minor miracle," admitted one.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments