News Release

2nd March 2005

COMMONS THEATRE INQUIRY

The final hearing of the House of Commons Culture Media & Sport Select Committee in its Theatres Inquiry were held in Parliament today with Cllr Colin Ablitt and Paul Everitt (Artistic Director of the Lichfield Garrick Theatre) in attendance. Witnesses cross-examined by Michael Fabricant and other members of the Committee included Minister for the Arts, Estelle Morris; the Chairman of the Arts Council for England, Sir Christopher Frayling, together with his Chief Executive and other officers; and Equity, the actor's union.

"I raised both with the Arts Minister and with Sir Christopher Frayling how new and innovative theatres like the Lichfield Garrick can attract the sort of funding needed to launch new productions." says Michael Fabricant. "Assurances were given, but the evidence presented to the Committee by Cllr Colin Ablitt and Paul Everitt when we held a formal Parliamentary hearing in Birmingham, following the Committee's visit to the Lichfield Garrick the previous day, made it clear that Lichfield has not been getting its fair share.

"But the Lichfield Garrick has been put firmly on the national theatres map by this Parliamentary inquiry. The evidence presented by the Lichfield Garrick was highly persuasive when the Garrick gave evidence alongside Dame Judi Dench and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Lichfield Garrick has now become a national voice for smaller theatres and we can all be proud of that. I expect the Parliamentary Report to be published by the Committee will reflect this" adds Michael.