Ballet’s finances examined

Press, 19 July 1989, Page 22

Ballet’s finances examined

The Arts Council is to look into the finances of the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, which is facing a $200,000 deficit, says the Press Association. A council deputation will meet the company’s board to discuss its finances and has appointed a former council member, accountant Roger Taylor, to prepare a briefing on the company. The council’s staff member in charge of dance, Gisella Carr, says there is no cause for alarm since the company has three months before the end of its financial year. The .company is having a successful season with its production of “Le Papillon.” Company general manager Mark Keyworth

says that apart from “Le Papillon,” this year’s productions have not attracted good houses. “We haven’t had a good year at the box office.”

The $200,000 deficit matches the amount the company is short in its annual allocation from the Arts Council for the financial year, Mr Keyworth says. The company asked for $1.25 million from the council but received $1 million. It is asking for $1.25 million for the coming financial year.

Arts Council representatives will also attend meetings of the Aucklandbased Limbs Dance Company, whose finances will be monitored by the council over the next six months. The Limbs company is how debt-free.