My letter to SOLT and ITV about the censorship at the recent Olivier awards is on the letters page of The Stage, but given free access to the site is limited for non paying consumers, I thought I'd post it here too.
Limited as I was to 350 words max, there were a great many things which I didn't have room to talk about, and which I intend on using this blog to delve into at a later date. For now, though, here's the letter sent to The Stage. Note, I wrote first to Julian Bird, Director of SOLT, but never got a reply. These issues are important, and need to be discussed as frankly as possible.
Limited as I was to 350 words max, there were a great many things which I didn't have room to talk about, and which I intend on using this blog to delve into at a later date. For now, though, here's the letter sent to The Stage. Note, I wrote first to Julian Bird, Director of SOLT, but never got a reply. These issues are important, and need to be discussed as frankly as possible.
The Olivier’s are the highest honour the theatrical world
can bestow on its community and whilst the atmosphere in the run up to the
ceremony seemed to point to an evening of celebration, by the time the
‘highlight show’ finished it became apparent that it was only to be broadcast
in the face of heavy censorship.
With the British theatre scene at the zenith of its
popularity, surely it is time to broadcast the whole ceremony? The promotional
tag line ‘Be Inspired’ should live up to the promise of showing future
generations just how much theatre involves people like them.
Having listened to the entire ceremony on Magic radio (warts
and all, including the fluffs by Catherine Tate) I was able to hear the
passionate thoughts on immigration, diversity, same sex partnerships, the
social role of theatre, ethnicity, the Time’s Up and 50:50 movements, and one
man’s 13 year dedication to the Young Vic, delivered so eloquently by (amongst
others) Giles Terera, Dominic Cooke, Marianne Elliott, Alex Lacamoire, Sheila
Atim, Alexandra Burke, Beverley Knight, Juliet Stevenson and David Lan.
Those thought provoking and passionate words were
inspirational and uplifting. Sadly, Magic have not kept the recording and so
the sentiments so strongly expressed have been lost to posterity, because the
TV broadcast gave a bare approximation of the events. It is deeply disturbing
that ITV chose to edit so extensively. It would be worrying in any year, but at
this particular moment in time, the censorship raises many questions, not least
– why did ITV deem such cuts necessary, and does SOLT intend to continue its
broadcast partnership with a provider that chooses to silence those who speak
out on such sensitive and important issues?
Now is not the time for censorship. The future credibility
of SOLT and the Olivier’s rests on the support of those who are brave enough to
stand up, speak out, and inspire.
