Supporting the Arts
THE ACTING COMPANY
This company is an indispensible part of US theatre, presenting young actors on tour in classical drama.
ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE
My three favourite words. The ETT tours productions in UK. I have been their patron since 1994.
EQUITY
Since I started acting professionally I have been a member of British Actors’ Equity and subsequently I have also joined in the US, Actors’ Equity Association; Screen Actors’ Guild; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Read more about Equity . . .
GIFFONI FILM FESTIVAL
It's never too late to be a child, it's never too late to dream. Many foreign countries should follow the example given by Claudio Gubitosi with this festival. It is a festival based on a love of cinema, while the Cannes festival is based on business.
HOBART SHAKESPEAREANS
I've seen many plays in this tiny room with 30 people crying their eyes out and seeing Shakespeare perhaps better than anywhere else. Read more about The Hobart Shakespeareans . . .
JMK TRUST
As Professor of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University (1993-94), I held a series of workshops for undergraduate and other young actors in Oxford. James Menzies Kitchen was one of them, a jovial, charming enthusiast, whom I rehearsed as Uncle Vanya (alongside Eve Best and Will Keen). His early death devastated his friends and I helped to found the Trust in his name, which supports young theatre directors.
LITTLE THEATRE GUILD
To qualify for membership, UK amateur theatre groups must own their own premises. As patron (2008) I am hoping to visit the 100 member theatres.
NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS
NCA lobbies pariiament and others to support the Arts in UK.
NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE OF GREAT BRITAIN
To begin with NYT recruited its young members from London for its annual productions. I was living elsewhere so, unlike Derek Jacobi, Helen Mirren, David Weston and other contemporaries who turned professional, I missed out. As one of their vice presidents, I regularly attend performances of NYT.
NEW PECKHAM VARIETIES ARTS
NPV Arts introduces youngsters in Southwark to the delights of performing.
THE SPACE
Not far from my home in the Docklands of east London, the late Robert Richardson showed me his renovation of the disused St. Paul’s chapel on the Isle of Dogs in 1993. As a neighbour and as an enthusiast for small playing spaces, I’ve been happy to present An Audience with Ian McKellen (2003) and A KNIGHT OUT IN THE EAST END (1996) to raise funds for the St. Paul’s Arts Centre. Read more about The Space . . .
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