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Dame Judi Dench has called for arts funding to be ring-fenced after accusing the government of diverting money from theatre and film to pay for the 2012 Olympics.
She fears smaller theatres could be forced to close and is “alarmed” at the amounts “siphoned off”.
Dame Judi, 75, who is to play Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, said: “I want to play the role, obviously, but I'm also doing my bit to keep [the theatre] open. I am concerned that they've taken a lot of the subsidy to the arts away for the Olympics.”
Speaking in The Times, Dame Judi said lack of funding has been compounded by the recession and actors are struggling to find work.
She said: “There's no question that the recession has had an effect on the arts, especially on British films. Things are not being greenlit as much and it is more difficult for people to get work.
“When you go abroad people always talk with such love about British theatre, but the irony is that it's not appreciated by the Government as it should be. The state of the arts has always been, and will always be, precarious. But there is something so alarming about the huge cuts made to companies, particularly when you read of the astronomical amounts some people are earning, like bankers.”
Dame Judi, 75, who stars in the BBC's Cranford Christmas special, said that arts funding should be protected. “I mourn that there are so many repertory companies that aren't around any more,” she added.
Her comments echo those of other leading figures in the arts who have complained the Olympics bill is eating up government subsidies.
Richard Pulford, from the Society of London Theatre, which represents theatre owners and managers, said in June that talks with the Government to tackle the massive backlog of repair work for West End venues had faltered because of “the baleful impact” of the Olympics.
The UK Film Council, which funds British films, faces a 15 per cent cut equating to £19.95 million in its lottery funding.
It has been told the money is being diverted to the Olympics.
Reader views (7)
I love sports but at the same time I am an actress, one should not suffer for the other, Theatre is not eliteist you just choose to look at it that way, when there are many productions that are free. theatre is part of education and can teach better than writing from a text book and also teaches reading skills, public speaking, communication and creativity which is important in a huge persentage of the country. Also theatre can inform the public on topics not reported by the press. I think it is a shame that theatre are closing because of funding cuts. There are also more entertainers in this country than people working with good we export, not everyone earns money like the stars most just above minimum wage and do i for the love. I am sure you will be the first people up in arms if the tv channels were cut because of a lack of funding when most of the tv and film actors orginate in theatre!
- Didi, london, 30/03/2010 12:43
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Dame Judy, you can't have everything. The taxpayer is milked to the hilt in the UK. My view is that nowadays the community here is so diverse, that there is not a huge surge of popular support for great English theatre. However, perhaps if arts people were able to sit down and fully explore where taxpayer funds go, they might find savings can be made somewhere. Myself, I feel that after teaching people to read and write English correctly, any savings should be diverted to exporting things to bring in 'real' money, as Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands says.
- Helen, norwich, 18/12/2009 09:21
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It's a fair question why such a much-loved activity that produces so much talent needs help to pay the bills.
I'm no football fan, but it has the integrity that it's paid for by those who love the game, and buy the tickets, the merchandise and the TV subscriptions to support it.
This isn't an argument against elitism, either: check out the London Handel Festival, which maintains a world-class standard every year without a penny from the state. It's supported by those who love the music, and shell out for it, and you can feel the extra buzz at the concerts as a result.
Judi Dench overlooks that the Arts and popular music earn this country more than many more traditional industries. Looking for subsidy is almost a declaration of unworthiness of it.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 14/12/2009 21:07
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In reality all money from taxpayers etc should go to things that we need in everyday life like a good health service and education rather than for the benefit of a few upper class people to enjoy elite events like the Olympics and Arts.
- Mark, Watford, 12/12/2009 10:28
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Graham - you are the type of person killing off the theatre industry in the UK, which I see you no longer reside in, yet feel qualified to poke a nose into. You strike me as someone who reaches for a gun whenever culture is mentioned.
Dame Judi is not talking about industry, she's talking about theatre funding being given to those sham Olympics which not many people want. And I'm with her. Theatres have suffered enough budget cuts over the years. Given the number of top class playwrights who have come from the UK, it's a disgrace.
- Jock, Ardmair, Scotland, 11/12/2009 22:51
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It's a shame there wasn't such an outrage from celebrities when sports funding was cut in the 1980s when playing fields were sold off and local sports facilities closed. Thankfully now having the Olympics means sport might now have the chance to rise to the level that the arts currently enjoys in this country.
- Darren, London, 11/12/2009 18:33
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Why should the arts be ring-fenced more than anything else? Britain is a trading nation living in a high-tech age. You survive by virtue of your trade with the rest of the world. If you´re going to ring-fence anything, it should be your manufacturing base and goods you export. Sorry, Dame Judi, but the arts must come second.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 11/12/2009 16:37
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