Latest news with #performing arts
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Students call for national drama school in Northern Ireland
Young performers have said they feel they have "no other option but to leave home" in order to pursue a career in acting due to the lack of drama school training in Northern are currently no full-time, degree-level national drama schools, despite the region's screen sector booming with hit shows like Game of Thrones, Hope Street and Blue lack of formal and practical training in acting, as well as financial support, means their only option is to go elsewhere at a large Alfie Boe James Huish Academy of Theatre Arts in Belfast is a youth academy for musical theatre but does not offer a three-year degree course. James Hutchinson, 18, from Aghagallon, who is a student there, said: "Having to pursue my dreams by going to a different country isn't easy."If I could, I would stay here. I shouldn't have to go elsewhere just to train properly." Mya Jansen Van Rensburg, 18, from Belfast, will soon join the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in said the opportunities in Northern Ireland simply don't match the demand, adding: "There's nothing here.""The opportunities for performing arts in general are really, really limited."She added that many of her friends have already given up on their dreams because they couldn't afford to move elsewhere."They're not getting enough loans or help, so they just stop," Ms Jansen Van Rensburg said. Derry Girls actor backs calls Game of Thrones and Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney has backed student calls for a national drama school, saying that accessibility and affordability are key."The greatest value of having a drama school here is probably controlling the costs," he said."Drama schools are becoming so expensive that a lot of people don't know how to afford it and are bypassing it… if there were a drama school on the doorstep, that might just make it more feasible." While universities in Northern Ireland offer a degree in drama, many students are seeking the practical experience they need to become an explained that written work should not be prioritised over performance."The problem is universities here are obsessed with the degree. Because of the word 'degree' they seem to think you need to do a certain amount of written work."A lot of people who go into acting may well be writers and have very good writing skills, but they equally, may not. People didn't go in to write essays, they went in to perform," McElhinney said. 'Losing out in a big way' James Huish, who runs the Huish/Boe Academy, said too many students are being left behind."Just studying drama doesn't really fill the gap of what people need to actually be in the industry," he Huish says the demand for training far outweighs the capacity of current institutions and without serious investment, Northern Ireland's creative economy could suffer."Children here are losing out in a big way," he said. Hope Street actor urges funding For 28-year-old Bangor-born Hope Street actor, Finnian Garbutt, the absence of adequate full-time training for young actors in Northern Ireland is "hard to comprehend".Having attended drama school in England, the actor describes the experience as "a completely different beast" to the options available in Northern Ireland, which demands 40 hours minimum a week of intense training. But he said it was financially "unsustainable for a lot of people" as it can cost up to £13,000 for course fees in is vocal about the need for more support closer to home. "I've worked with so many people from here who are so talented," he said."Funding the arts is essentially what needs to happen here."Remaining hopeful about the future for the arts in Northern Ireland, Garbutt said: "I've been able to make a career here, so I definitely think there are opportunities, just not enough." In a statement, the Education Authority told BBC News NI: "The policies which are implemented by Student Finance NI, in relation to eligibility of courses for which students may be awarded financial support, are determined by the Department for the Economy".BBC News NI has contacted the Department for the Economy for comment.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
MPs call on Government to recognise live comedy as distinct art form
MPs have called on the Government to recognise live comedy as its own distinct art form to ensure the sector can access funding. It comes after the Culture Media and Sport (CMS) Committee held an evidence session on live comedy in April which found that, due to differences in infrastructure, workforce and audiences, the sector experienced significant restrictions when accessing funding bodies, including Arts Council England (ACE). In a letter to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), MPs called for the sector to be recognised as its own art form in order to be able to access more funding and investment opportunities. This comes days after the start of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world which has largely been cited as the event that helped acts make their break in the industry. The chairwoman of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: 'The gathering of performers and audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe showcases the tremendous impact live comedy can have on people's lives and the wider economy. 'But despite proving its cultural and economic importance across the country, a reluctance to see live comedy as a distinct cultural craft has hampered its access to the funding open to other performing arts. 'It's time the Government took the first step to helping the live comedy sector continue to deliver the huge benefits it provides by recognising it as a specific art form and properly engaging with the sector. 'There also needs to be more support for its workforce and a real focus on making sure that participation in and enjoyment of live comedy is something that is open to all.' In a letter addressed to culture minister Sir Chris Bryant, the CMS committee also laid out additional recommendations to protect the workforce including a voluntary scheme, similar to the grassroots music levy, for the biggest comedy venues, producers and promoters to commit to. It also called on the Government to work with funding bodies to establish an 'independent, accurate assessment of the size and distribution of the live comedy sector'.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MPs call on Government to recognise live comedy as distinct art form
MPs have called on the Government to recognise live comedy as its own distinct art form to ensure the sector can access funding. It comes after the Culture Media and Sport (CMS) Committee held an evidence session on live comedy in April which found that, due to differences in infrastructure, workforce and audiences, the sector experienced significant restrictions when accessing funding bodies, including Arts Council England (ACE). In a letter to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), MPs called for the sector to be recognised as its own art form in order to be able to access more funding and investment opportunities. This comes days after the start of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world which has largely been cited as the event that helped acts make their break in the industry. The chairwoman of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: 'The gathering of performers and audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe showcases the tremendous impact live comedy can have on people's lives and the wider economy. 'But despite proving its cultural and economic importance across the country, a reluctance to see live comedy as a distinct cultural craft has hampered its access to the funding open to other performing arts. 'It's time the Government took the first step to helping the live comedy sector continue to deliver the huge benefits it provides by recognising it as a specific art form and properly engaging with the sector. 'There also needs to be more support for its workforce and a real focus on making sure that participation in and enjoyment of live comedy is something that is open to all.' In a letter addressed to culture minister Sir Chris Bryant, the CMS committee also laid out additional recommendations to protect the workforce including a voluntary scheme, similar to the grassroots music levy, for the biggest comedy venues, producers and promoters to commit to. It also called on the Government to work with funding bodies to establish an 'independent, accurate assessment of the size and distribution of the live comedy sector'.
BBC News
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Rosa Taylor: Tributes to actress and 'dancing queen' after crash
The family and friends of a teenage performer from Lancashire who died in a car crash in Wiltshire have paid tribute to "the most beautiful person inside and out".Rosa Taylor, 19, from Upholland, died when the car she was in collided with a lorry on A4 in Corsham last Police said Rosa - who was due to begin studying musical theatre at London's prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire in September - was on her way to perform in a production in Corsham at the time of the crash. In a statement, her father, Gareth Taylor, said his daughter was "the very definition of a spirit that shines brightly and dies young, loved by anyone who met her". "She was at once the most talented, most beautiful, and most loving soul I've ever known," he said. Rosa "lived and breathed performing arts" and had played leading roles at the Artz Centre in Skelmersdale as a teenager, before going on to study musical theatre at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) Sixth Form College. She was performing the lead role in SCRUMPTIOUS! - a production by the Lancashire-based theatre company Beggars Belief Collective, which was touring the country, at the time of her death. The tour has since been cancelled.A tribute to Rosa by the Collective's artistic directors was posted on the company's Instagram account. It read: "We are sad and devastated that our dear sweet Rosa, who played 'Sylvie' in our family show 'SCRUMPTIOUS!', tragically lost her life on Thursday."Like the cherry tree that blossoms in Spring, her short life has brought wonder and beauty to everyone who knew her."We will always be grateful to you, Rosa, for the time you gave us. Your memory will continue to sing and dance in our hearts." 'Forever 19' Rosa had also performed in productions with Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre and WOW Liverpool, as well as working as a children's party entertainer and at Briars Hall Hotel in Ormskirk. In a social media tribute, the hotel's team said it was "truly devastated at the tragic loss of our beloved Rosa".They said: "She was a fabulous soul who brought so much light, laughter and happiness to every person she encountered."We will all miss her tremendously, forever our dancing queen."A fundraiser set up to help her family with funeral costs has raised almost £15, fundraiser's organiser, Kelly Bryant-Cunningham, described Rosa as a "shining star, so full of life and talent".She said: "Rosa - your laughter, your kindness and your spirit will stay with us forever."Forever loved, forever cherished, forever 19." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to
