Sadler’s Wells in difficulties

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32801, 29 December 1971, Page 9

Sadler’s Wells in difficulties

' Sadler’s Wells Theatre, in Rosebery Avenue, London, will close within a year unless a desperate appeal for funds, launched on November 17, succeeds.

The theatre, birthplace of the Royal Ballet and Sadler’s Wells Opera, is losing I £20,000 a year, Mr David McKenna, chairman of the Governors, has revealed. I “Work of the kind we are doing simply cannot be done on a purely commercial basis, free of financial risk,” said Mr McKenna. The appeal is being made to members of the public, to industry, and to local authorities in the London area. The theatre needs £50,000 a vear if it is to survive, fulfil its programme and cope with increasing inflation. A society of Friends of Sadlers Wells Theatre, headed by a distinguished body of patrons, has been formed through which members of the public can supSTREET. (OPP. CYCLONE IF mitted Sadler’s Wells Theatre to a programme of opera, ballet, drama, modem dance and mime companies from all over the world; they provide the ideal platform for re-

gional British companies; and they are giving increasing opportunities to young singers, conductors, designers and choreographers. This policy is entirely in accordance with a recommendation contained in the “Report on Opera and Ballet in the United Kingdom” made by a committee set up by tbe Arts Council. The theatre has received nothing from national funds since March, 1970. “We have even had to turn away companies from Europe, Africa and the United States because we could not offer them acceptable terms,” Mr McKenna said.