Latest news with #MarkKerrison
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Why the Championship play-off final kick-off time has been moved
Why the Championship play-off final kick-off time has been moved Sheffield United and Sunderland meet at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final Wembley Stadium hosts the Championship play-off final today (Image: Mark Kerrison ) Sheffield United and Sunderland lock horns in the Championship play-off final on Saturday afternoon. The two teams will face off against each other under the famous Wembley arch for a place in the Premier League and all the riches that entails. The Blades will be smarting that they missed out on an automatic promotion place to Leeds United and Burnley but have the perfect opportunity to address that this afternoon against the Black Cats. One thing to note is that the traditional 3pm kick-off time has been moved forward a minute, with the game scheduled to officially get under way at 3.01pm. The League One and League Two finals, scheduled to take place on Sunday and Monday respectively, are also kicking off 60 seconds later, at 1.01pm. The reason is because the EFL are looking to raise awareness for the 'Every Minute Matters' campaign, which aims to encourage football fans to learn CPR. Article continues below Wales international Tom Lockyer is an ambassador for the project after the defender collapsed with atrial fibrillation in the 2023 Championship play-off final between his club Luton Town and Coventry City. He said: 'I was just one of the more than 30,000 people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year in the UK. "I am lucky to be alive today, but the reality is that less than 1 in 10 people usually survive, which is why it's vital that we continue to raise awareness. "The symbolic kick-off times are the perfect way to make our lifesaving message impossible to ignore. 'Over the course of the last year, the EFL community – fans, players and the clubs – have come together and united behind the Sky Bet Every Minute Matters campaign to achieve something I never thought possible. "And now, as we approach the business end of the season, the Sky Bet Play-Off Finals provide an incredible platform to continue to spread the word and bring the curtain down on a game-changing year in the fight against cardiac arrest." The dates and times in full Article continues below Championship: Sheffield United vs Sunderland, Saturday, May 24, 3:01pm League One: Charlton vs Leyton Orient, Sunday, May 25, 1:01pm League Two: AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall, Monday, May 26, 3:01pm
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Rising production costs threatening viability of UK theatre, says report
Rising production costs threatening viability of UK theatre, says report he cost of running and creating theatre has soared, rising "significantly faster than inflation", according to a report into the state of British theatre in 2025 from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre The London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus was built in 1885 as a theatre (Image: Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images ) Rising production costs are threatening the viability of UK theatre, a report has said. The cost of running and creating theatre has soared, rising "significantly faster than inflation", according to a report into the state of British theatre in 2025 from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre. "The economics of theatre are finely balanced. Without strategic support and investment, rising costs threaten the viability of even the most commercially successful productions," it said. The report outlines potential threats to the sector's financial sustainability, including the cumulative effect of rising inflation, heightened international trade tensions and the potential impact of new US tariffs. On Wednesday official figures revealed that UK inflation surged to its highest level for more than a year last month after households were hit by a raft of "awful April" bill increases. In spite of growing costs, members of the SOLT and UK Theatre welcomed more than 37 million audience members in 2024, with the West End surpassing 17.1 million attendees, generating more than £1 billion in revenue for the first time in history, according to the organisations. Article continues below The report estimates that the average price of a West End ticket is 5.3% lower in real terms than in 2019 and says that "most theatre tickets remain affordable". Another issue is investment, with one in five UK venues requiring at least £5 million over the next decade simply to remain operational, according to a 2024 survey from the organisations. Out of the 65 venues surveyed, it was found that nearly 40% of them could close or become unusable in the next five years without substantial capital funding. Rising costs in transport, accommodation, freight and staffing are also affecting domestic touring and the report said these financial pressures are "straining the viability of touring models that rely on lean margins and collaborative delivery". At the same time, audiences are facing their own cost-of-living challenges and this means that "simply raising ticket prices is not a viable solution if theatre is to remain accessible to all". The report said higher-priced tickets help "cross-subsidise lower-cost options, enabling more people to attend while preserving financial sustainability". It also said the Government needs to make a "sustained investment in infrastructure, skills, access and innovation". International productions can also face complex issues, such as trade uncertainty, but the report added that "UK theatre continues to punch above its weight globally". Six The Musical, which has toured across the world, is an example of "the power of UK theatre as a world-leading cultural export", according to the report. SOLT and UK Theatre co-chief executives Claire Walker and Hannah Essex said: "From the West End to regional stages, our members are working harder than ever to keep theatre accessible and inclusive, even as costs rise and funding declines. "But the reality is stark: theatres are doing more with less – and the strain is showing. "Rising costs, shrinking support and ageing infrastructure are putting the sector under unsustainable pressure. Article continues below "We are seeing world-class organisations forced to cut programmes, delay maintenance and scale back outreach. "If we want to maintain the UK's position as a global leader in theatre – and continue to inspire the next generation of actors, writers and technicians – then Government must act. "That means restoring public investment, investing in infrastructure and ensuring that every child can experience the life-changing power of live performance."
