Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Is it curtains for Britain's Royal Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 15:01:10 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN;LIFE \SS (WS) \HD Is it curtains for Britain's Royal Opera? \BY REUTERS NEWS AGENCY \DT LONDON LONDON - A drama as intense and impassioned as anything seen on its stage is shaking the prestigious Royal Opera House in the heart of London's theater district as it confronts the worst crisis in its history. Britain's premier opera company, which acts as a magnet to the rich and famous, is broke, dilapidated and blaming the government for its woes. Running a deficit of $6.8 million, the company cannot survive on state funding alone. It is struggling to find sponsors and having to charge astronomical ticket prices in an attempt to make ends meet. The government, which blames bad management, is worried that Britain's flagship arts organization has become too elitist. "Art is not going to flourish if it becomes ghettoized among the super rich," said David Mellor shortly before a sex scandal forced him to quit his job as Britain's culture minister. Ironically at a time when its very future is in doubt, the Royal Opera House is enjoying enormous critical acclaim. But the goings-on offstage have drawn sharp criticism. An independent report commissioned by the government's art-funding body, the Arts Council, pinpoints what has led to the current crisis: "The disrepair of the buildings . . . an accumulated deficit . . . and the performance of the ROH management." The Royal Opera House and its sister company the Royal Ballet were given a permanent home in the Covent Garden area of London in 1946. The company established an international reputation, attracting famous stars and drawing glittering audiences. But despite its wealthy supporters the opera house is a publicly funded operation depending on government grants for 40 percent of its revenue. Five years ago government funding covered 60 percent of the ROH's expenditure but spiraling production costs have now left the company short of cash. With only two corporate sponsors coming forward to support the present season, the ROH is having to rely on high ticket prices to survive, going against the government's policy of making subsidized arts organizations easily accessible to the public. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM