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Spacey attacks BBC over promoting Lloyd Webber shows
Amar Singh, Media Correspondent31 Mar 2008
Kevin Spacey today attacked the BBC for promoting West End musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber at the expense of other British theatre.
Spacey, Artistic Director of the Old Vic, said the broadcaster "crossed the line" with its succession of prime time Saturday night shows designed to find stars for shows written and produced by Lord Lloyd-Webber.
The BBC1 shows have made stars of Connie Fisher and Lee Mead, who took the lead roles in new runs of The Sound of Music and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat after appearing on reality shows hosted by Graham Norton.
But two-time Oscar winner Spacey said it was not a good use of licence payers' money. Speaking to Radio 4's Today Programme, Spacey, 48, said: "I felt that How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria was essentially a thirteen-week promotion for a musical, on a public service broadcaster.
"You are not a commercial broadcaster and I thought that was crossing the line. Where's our thirteen-week programme when we put a play on? Are they going to do one about a play?"
His comments came as the finals began on the BBC's latest show I'd Do Anything, which is designed to find an actress who will play Nancy in a new West End production of Oliver!
Spacey also called for a return of Play For Today, the BBC One series which ran from 1970 to 1984 and spawned several acclaimed plays including Abigail's Party.
The BBC's talent contests have been praised for unearthing new talent and reviving interest in Lord Lloyd-Webber's celebrated musicals, but some have also criticised the corporation for giving so much publicity to a multi-millionaire peer.
The BBC have stated that there is no conflict of interest with I'd Do Anything because Oliver! is a Cameron Mackintosh production.
However, Lord Lloyd-Webber will benefit financially as the show is planned for the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which he owns.
The shows have helped revamp the BBC's Saturday evening schedule after years of losing out to ITV shows such as The X Factor and Pop Idol.
But Lord Lloyd-Webber has refused to sign a "golden handcuffs" deal with the BBC and has reportedly discussed plans with ITV chief Michael Grade for a talent show based on the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
Since taking over as the Artistic Director of the Old Vic - one of London's oldest theatres - in 2003, Kevin Spacey has championed British theatre and has been praised for attracting top actors to the capital.
The latest production at the Old Vic is David Mamet's Speed-The-Plow, which stars Spacey and Jeff Goldblum and has been a box office success.
Lord Lloyd Webber, who is also acting as a judge for a Canadian version of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria and a German talent contest based on Starlight Express said this month: "I've done three with the BBC now and I've got to look after the day job. The real reason we're doing Oliver! is that the BBC can't let me do one of my own shows this time because of editorial policy. But I wasn't hurt by the criticism from other people."
Reader views (9)
There is no justification for a publicly owned broadcaster to be funded from compulsory taxation any longer. Scrap the TV Licence Tax. Now.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 01/04/2008 11:14
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100% agreement with Kevin Spacey on this. Our tax dollars go towards promoting Lloyd Webber's shows. It's totally ridiculous. Cameron has promised that the Tories, once in power, will cut the BBC budget, and give the difference to the independents. Right on.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 01/04/2008 00:16
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I have been to many of the Old Vic 'Spacey Directed' shows and have left most at the interval - perhaps if Mr Spacey exercised some real creative talent then the BBC might begin a search for the next Hamlet, Medea, or even 'Captain Hook' instead of rehashing productions with celebrities that to be honest really struggle with 'the book'.
- Padraigh Turlough, Crystal Palace, London, 31/03/2008 21:16
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As Andrew Lloyd Webber himself points out, Oliver! is not his show. So the Beeb cannot be accused of promoting his work directly in this instance.
But Lionel Bart's great musical, because of its subject, opens up a huge can of worms in that numerous viewers of this talent show will have had personal experience of orphanages and a street life involving middle as well as working class people of the period. Illegitimacy being just one of the reasons.
Lionel may not have been able to write music notation but his lyrics and those great songs dictated to others, and inspired by Dicken' Oliver Twist, will laud him for ever!
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Muildenhall, Suffolk, 31/03/2008 20:40
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Well Kevin if you don't like our BBC, feel free to go back to America and enjoy with their crass commercial rubbish .
- Jon, London, 31/03/2008 20:27
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Here, here. When will we all wake up to the fact that the licence fee is a poll tax. Make the BEEB subscription with ads. I'll take BBC1, News24, the rest, not interested. It's outdated in a multi media, multi access age. Why am I subsiding BEEB productions for the rest of the world to watch via iplayer...for free! We are mugs!
- Richard, Leeds , UK, 31/03/2008 15:11
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Of course Kevin Spacey is right. The truth is that the BBC wouldn't want to be seen to be promoting theatre plays - they are only interested in ratings & giving advertising space to middle of the road entertainment shows that are already well supported anyway. They aren't interested in challenges! Or put another way - Lloyd Webber is "safe."
- Dawn Bonham, Northampton, 31/03/2008 14:57
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Quite right, Kevin, though to be frank I have never felt the slightest inclination to go to one of these shows.
- Paul, London, 31/03/2008 14:27
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I congratulate Kevin Spacey - finally someone who is willing to stand up to the monopoly that is ALW and CM. I agree wholeheartedly with everything he has said. License payers money should not be used in this way and it is detrimental to theatre and the West End, 'I'd do anything' itself is an example - this show / Oliver is closing down Lord of the Rings. The BBC should not be using public money to line Mr Lloyd Webbers pockets. Well done Mr Spacey from all actors and theatre staff in the West End!
- C, London, 31/03/2008 12:22
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