Sam Mendes calls on British government to save U.K. theatre industry

Jurassic World: Dominion star Sam Neill has opened up about the movie's imminent return to production.The actor, who is reprising his role as Dr Alan Grant in the upcoming sequel, spoke of how the movie is "breaking new ground" as it becomes one of the first major productions to return amid the coronavirus pandemic.Appearing on today's (June 24) This Morning, Sam updated fans, saying: "We are about to begin again, and I should be in the United Kingdom, all things being equal, in a couple of

More than 3,500 workers in the British film and TV industry have signed an open letter calling for senior figures and decision makers to make several "strategic commitments" to reshape the landscape of the sector and "tackle structural and systemic racism." The letter comes a week after the Black Film Collective issued a similar statement to Hollywood, with its creators — including producer Nisha Parti (The Boy With the Top Knot), actor-writer Meera Syal (Goodness Gracious Me), actor Indira

Jake Kanter International TV EditorMore than 3,500 film and TV professionals, including top British actors and creatives, have signed an open letter to the UK screen industry demanding an end to “systemic racism.”The missive was adapted from a “powerful and eloquent” letter published in Hollywood last week and its signatories include Michaela Coel, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth, Jane Featherstone and David Yates.You can read the full letter below, but at its core are four demands:Other notable

The survey was launched last week as a continuation of the organisation’s ‘Save Our Venues’ campaign, which has been running since April, and saw 28,640 respondents.The results show that while 89 per cent of respondents said they were eager to return to gigs, only 36 per cent of them think it would currently be safe to attend a show.The MVT’s campaign has already helped temporarily save 140 music venues from the threat of closure, and efforts to preserve the UK’s live music industry at this

Ian Holm was a British actor whose many roles included the hobbit Bilbo Baggins in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the android Ash in “Alien” (1979). Other notable roles for Holm include trainer Sam Mussabini in “Chariots of Fire” (1981), Napoleon in “Time Bandits” (1981), and Father Vito Cornelius in “The Fifth Element” (1997).

Leo Barraclough Senior International CorrespondentA letter (see link here) proposing ways to remedy the lack of diversity in the British television business has been sent to the U.K. government, broadcasters, streamers, and other bodies in the industry, and signed by almost 1,000 people.

Greg Evans Associate Editor/Broadway CriticBlasting the British government for what he says has been “no tangible practical support,” producer Cameron Mackintosh says his company’s West End productions of Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins and Les Miserables won’t reopen until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.“This decision is heart-breaking for me,” Mackintosh said in a statement, “as I am sure it is for my employees, as everyone who has worked with me over the last 50 years,

Outlander star Sam Heughan wants another shot at James Bond after missing out on the role of 007 in Casino Royale.

coronavirus era. New health and safety methods were tested during a series of special lockdown episodes that showed the fictional family dramas of the rural Yorkshire village played out during the pandemic.

UK theatres will need government help if they are to survive the coronavirus pandemic, actor David Tennant has warned.

Sam Mendes has said that he feels “positive” about the prospect of a solution being found to support the UK’s ailing theatre sector through the lockdown.

Leo Barraclough Senior International CorrespondentSam Mendes, who as well as helming movies like “1917” is also a successful theater director with shows like “The Lehman Trilogy,” has called for the U.K.

Tom Grater International Film ReporterSam Mendes has a plan to save the UK’s theaters.

Lewis Hamilton is speaking out. The British race driver took to social media to urge his fellow Formula 1 drivers to use their platform to stand up against injustice in the wake of George Floyd's death.

Colin (Michael Cashman) and Barry (Gary Hailes) — Photo: BBC