Stars challenge 'vicious' cuts to theatre funding

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Furious theatre directors, managers and actors, such as Sylvia Syms and Patrick Malahide, are also uniting to call ACE to account over its new plans.

More than 200 arts bodies are getting above-inflation increases in a shake-up aiming to reward excellence and innovation.

But another 194 groups, including 53 in London, face funding cuts.

The move has provoked uproar. Actors union Equity has asked Peter Hewitt, the soon-to-depart boss of the Arts Council, to explain its decisions at a meeting in London.

Samuel West, actor and director of West End hit Dealer's Choice, said the Arts Council seemed unwilling to back a great British tradition.

The cuts were hitting some of the country's best theatres, such as the Bush, the Gate and the Orange Tree in Richmond, and the Jacksons Lane arts centre, in Highgate.

Martin Brown, of Equity, said he was concerned at the savageness of the cuts. "Nobody expected such a vicious round of cuts." Some decisions seemed "mad", he added.

The Government publishes a review into arts policy tomorrow - a week before the deadline for appeals against the cuts.