We are at the end of another tumultuous and difficult year. One which I think, for many, has been as or even more challenging than 2022. I know I said that last Christmas, but it feels even more so this year. The industry has come under multiple challenges, which look to continue for some time…
Articles by Samantha Waddilove
Thriving, not just surviving [Update December 2023]
Less anxiety and depression, more time and resources to spend on their practice; 2 of the key findings from the first impact assessment of Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts, its 3-year pilot scheme of paying a basic income to a selected group of artists. As part of the programme, regular assessments would review how…
Missing: Women and Theatre 2023
Only 6% of respondents believe there has been an increase in opportunities for women in theatre. 84% of women in theatre are still being impacted by the pandemic. The two above sobering statistics were my key takeaways from reading Women in Theatre Survey Update 2023 written by Jennifer Tuckett. It follows up the previous report…
Autumn Reading: Working with Shakespeare
For this year’s autumn reading, I am looking at Shakespeare. Not his plays, or books about his life, but books about actually working with his text. Published in 1984 John Barton’s Playing Shakespeare is the companion to the workshops previously recorded for Thames Television/Chanel 4. Drawing on his extensive work with the RSC as director…
Degree & Job: what defines a worthy one?
It has been rumbling for some time but last week the Prime Minister announced that the Government is to crackdown on so-called “low value” degrees, those that do not lead to well-paid jobs, further education or starting a business. Whist arts and humanities courses are not specifically mentioned, nor are creative jobs, the underlying message…
Future creatives, future humans.
The Government has set out new plans to grow the creative industries and support a million new jobs, in a priority sector for economic growth. Plans include growing creative clusters across the UK, building a highly skilled workforce and maximising the positive impact of the creative industries on communities, the environment and the UK’s global…
Surviving, not thriving [Update]
England is to trial Universal Basic Income (UBI) in a 2 year pilot programme. Jarrow, South Tyneside and East Finchley, North London, have been selected for a micro pilot, with thirty people selected to receive the payment of £1,600 a month. Participants paid UBI will be monitored to see what effect it has on their…
Autumn Reading: Making Theatre [Update]
Back in September I posted a piece on theatre making books, including Kneehigh’s Cookbook, which seemed to have vanished after the company closed back in June 2021. At that point, I could not find any trace of the Cookbook. The good news is that the Cookbook, along with over 1,500 photographs, posters and programmes from…
Winter 2022
With this Christmas season looking to be even more challenging for many than the previous 2 years, and after a year that I know many people have found even more difficult than either 2020 or 2021, I am switching off and hunkering down to concentrate on recuperating, writing, planning and setting some intentions for next…
Surviving, not thriving
Ireland has begun a scheme to pay 2,000 creatives weekly payment of €325 over a 3 year pilot project; a scheme I previously highlighted back in July 2019 and June 2021. The selected group includes musicians, actors, writers and dancers; and includes practicing artists and those recently trained. The scheme will cost around €25 million. …