7:84 under threat after funds cut

THE future of 7:84, one of Scotland's best-known theatre groups, was in doubt last night after the Scottish Arts Council withdrew its core funding from 2005.
It stands to lose about £225,000 a year half of its annual income as part of a package of cuts, worth nearly1m, from nine organisations. The list also includes Borderline Theatre, the Crawford Arts Centre in St Andrews, and the Glasgow Jazz Festival...
Lorenzo Mele, 7:84's artistic director, said: "It is a massive blow. We have been given the same grant that we always get, but only for another year.
"We are quite shocked because we are Scotland's leading political theatre company and do incredible outreach work in different communities...
Tommy Sheridan, Scottish Socialist party leader, said the demise of 7:84 would mean the loss of an important voice.
He said: "It is very regrettable. These theatre companies are the lifeblood of performing art, taking art into the community and giving youngsters the chance to develop their confidence and abilities.
"Such stringent cuts are shocking and I will be contacting Frank McAveety (the culture minister) to find out what's going on." The Herald

Reasons to be cheerful

Mele thinks, because "in England there’s no real left alternative to the Labour party; in Scotland we have a stronger left-wing tradition and also left alternatives to the Labour party like the SSP and the Green party. I think there’s this sense things can be pushed further." The Scotsman