Latest news with #MakeitHappen
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brian Cox play under review after only white actors told they needed ‘woke' training
It's a production about the rise and fall of The Royal Bank of Scotland. RACE ROW Brian Cox play under review after only white actors told they needed 'woke' training Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RACE row has erupted over a Brian Cox play after only white actors were told they required diversity training. The National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) has launched a review after it was alleged white cast members were instructed to do lessons in misogyny and oppression awareness - while black performers were excused. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Brian Cox stars in the show where cast were offered diversity training. Credit: PA Succession favourite Cox, 78, will star in Make it Happen at the Dundee Rep. It's a production about the rise and fall of The Royal Bank of Scotland. The training brief stated: 'This training is not compulsory for people of colour or from the global majority, though their participation is entirely voluntary and welcomed.' Jackie Wylie, the artistic director and NTS chief executive, has ordered a review after the Free Speech Union (FSU) complained the training treated 'members of one racial group less favourably than members of others'. The union said: 'It is plain that actors of white European ancestry are protected under the characteristic of race. 'Case law suggests that having good intentions is not sufficient to counter a claim of direct discrimination.' The FSU, founded by Lord Young of Acton, said the specific exemption for black performers implied the 'training is only mandatory for actors of white, European ancestry'. Jess Mally was due to provide the £1,500 group training course. She's a London anti-racism educator who charges 'white folks' 50 per cent more than people from 'the global majority' in her publicly advertised lessons. The global majority is widely viewed as the 80 per cent of the world population who live outside Europe, North America and Australasia. Tickets for 'white and white-passing people' cost £150 a head, disabled and LGBTQ+ people pay £120 and 'black and brown' people pay £100. Brian Cox defends author JK Rowling and her campaigning on issues relating to gender The FSU has reported NTS to the UK equalities watchdog because the Equality Act prohibits employers from treating staff differently based on the protected characteristic of race, which includes skin colour, nationality and ethnic origin. The NTS said: 'We acknowledge that use of the correct language around the offer of this training is important and this is currently under review.'
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Edinburgh Festival highlights to include theatre premiere starring Brian Cox
This year's Edinburgh International Festival offers a wide range of performances across multiples genres. Featuring more than 1,700 artists from 42 countries, including 600 from Scotland, the festival line-up has something for fans of all sectors of the arts. Highlights include a world premiere of theatre production Make it Happen, based on Scotland's role in the 2008 financial crisis. It stars Brian Cox and Sandy Grierson, and was written by renowned playwright James Graham. A ballet telling the story of Mary, Queen of Scots will also feature, with choreography by Sophie Laplane which blends classicism with modernity. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, a renowned assortment of singers from around the country, which will perform the festival's opening concert as well as Vaughan Williams's Sea Symphony, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and Mendelssohn's Elijah. The Big Singalong will take place from the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, and will be free to attend. It will be led by Stephen Deazley, Edinburgh's Love Music Community Choir director. Norwegian folk group Barokksolistene will return to the festival to lead The Ceilidh Sessions, an afternoon of music and storytelling inspired by Gaelic ceilidhs. There are more Polish artists at this year's festival than ever before, including a concert by the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra, and a showcase of artists from the Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble. Key operatic works include a staged Australian reimagining of Gluck's Orpheus And Eurydice, and the UK premiere of Book Of Mountains And Seas by Chinese composer Huang Ruo. For the first time, a dementia-friendly concert will feature at the festival. The performance by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in association with Alzheimer Scotland aims to allow those who have dementia to enjoy a performance in a relaxed and flexible environment. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'The Edinburgh International Festival has stood as a global celebration of the performing arts and their power to bridge cultural and national differences since 1947. 'That role is as relevant as ever, so I very much welcome the festival's commitment to affordability and accessibility in this year's programme. 'The international festival is where it all began for Edinburgh's festivals, so whether you are coming from near or far, I encourage everyone to enjoy the best of what Scotland and the world has to offer, across the genres of classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre and visual art. 'The Scottish Government's Expo fund is designed to help showcase Scottish artists and our festivals to the world, and I'm very proud to continue that support with £80,000 for this year's international festival.' Dana MacLeod, Creative Scotland's executive director of arts, communities and inclusion, said: 'Congratulations to the international festival team for this imaginative programme, which brings important conversations by world-leading artists and extraordinary creative experiences for audiences to the capital city. 'Borne out of a belief in the power of the arts to connect and provide hope in a divided world, the international festival's original ethos remains true today, with international and homegrown talent presenting stimulating work, reflecting and celebrating the world we inhabit. 'A long-time supporter, Creative Scotland is happy to have been able to confirm a funding commitment to the international festival for the next three years.'
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Edinburgh Festival highlights to include theatre premiere starring Brian Cox
This year's Edinburgh International Festival offers a wide range of performances across multiples genres. Featuring more than 1,700 artists from 42 countries, including 600 from Scotland, the festival line-up has something for fans of all sectors of the arts. Highlights include a world premiere of theatre production Make it Happen, based on Scotland's role in the 2008 financial crisis. It stars Brian Cox and Sandy Grierson, and was written by renowned playwright James Graham. A ballet telling the story of Mary, Queen of Scots will also feature, with choreography by Sophie Laplane which blends classicism with modernity. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, a renowned assortment of singers from around the country, which will perform the festival's opening concert as well as Vaughan Williams's Sea Symphony, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and Mendelssohn's Elijah. The Big Singalong will take place from the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, and will be free to attend. It will be led by Stephen Deazley, Edinburgh's Love Music Community Choir director. Norwegian folk group Barokksolistene will return to the festival to lead The Ceilidh Sessions, an afternoon of music and storytelling inspired by Gaelic ceilidhs. There are more Polish artists at this year's festival than ever before, including a concert by the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra, and a showcase of artists from the Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble. Key operatic works include a staged Australian reimagining of Gluck's Orpheus And Eurydice, and the UK premiere of Book Of Mountains And Seas by Chinese composer Huang Ruo. For the first time, a dementia-friendly concert will feature at the festival. The performance by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in association with Alzheimer Scotland aims to allow those who have dementia to enjoy a performance in a relaxed and flexible environment. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'The Edinburgh International Festival has stood as a global celebration of the performing arts and their power to bridge cultural and national differences since 1947. 'That role is as relevant as ever, so I very much welcome the festival's commitment to affordability and accessibility in this year's programme. 'The international festival is where it all began for Edinburgh's festivals, so whether you are coming from near or far, I encourage everyone to enjoy the best of what Scotland and the world has to offer, across the genres of classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre and visual art. 'The Scottish Government's Expo fund is designed to help showcase Scottish artists and our festivals to the world, and I'm very proud to continue that support with £80,000 for this year's international festival.' Dana MacLeod, Creative Scotland's executive director of arts, communities and inclusion, said: 'Congratulations to the international festival team for this imaginative programme, which brings important conversations by world-leading artists and extraordinary creative experiences for audiences to the capital city. 'Borne out of a belief in the power of the arts to connect and provide hope in a divided world, the international festival's original ethos remains true today, with international and homegrown talent presenting stimulating work, reflecting and celebrating the world we inhabit. 'A long-time supporter, Creative Scotland is happy to have been able to confirm a funding commitment to the international festival for the next three years.'
