International

Dame Helen Mirren echoes threat to beleaguered arts sector

Following recent reports of Cirque du Soleil filing for bankruptcy, Cameron Mackintosh suspending all his major West End musicals and the arts sector on the brink of collapse, Dame Helen Mirren recently spoke with BBC’s Radio 4 programme expressing her concern for the potential loss of Britain’s cultural identity.

The 74 year old Oscar winner said the following:

“What is at stake … is the loss of a cultural history and an identity of our nation that is embedded in what it means to be British.

“One of the great contributions that our country has made to the world is through theatre, through writing and performing.

“It’s one of the reasons that many tourists come to Britain … It is a multibillion-dollar industry, but to me it’s so much more than that…

“It’s like what Venice is to Italy – that incredible beauty, history … and when Venice becomes flooded, Italy really pulls together to save Venice because they understand the importance of Venice culturally to Italy.

“And I feel the same about the theatre in Britain.”

Credit Source: BBC Radio 4 Today Programme

Sean McLoughlin

Recent Posts

HEATED RIVALRY parody producers report recoupment as run extends to January 2027

Producers say HEATED RIVALRY: THE UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY has recouped its approximately US$500,000 Off-Broadway capitalisation…

1 day ago

Broadway’s &JULIET sets final performance for January 2027

Broadway's & JULIET will play its final performance at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on 3…

1 day ago

Gate Theatre to cease operations after 47 years

London’s Gate Theatre will cease operations at the end of October 2026 after 47 years,…

2 days ago

Arts Centre Melbourne to present landmark visual opera OPERATION:ORFEO

Arts Centre Melbourne today announced that OPERATION:ORFEO, a hypnotic depiction of the myth of Orpheus…

2 days ago

ROHTKO, Operation:Orfeo and The Avalanches announced as first events for Perth Festival 2027

Perth Festival today revealed that its 2027 program will open with the Australian exclusive season…

2 days ago

MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL to play in Singapore from August 2027

Original Broadway Producers Lia Vollack and John Branca, alongside Michael Cassel and Base Entertainment Asia,…

2 days ago