SUBMISSSION BY DEREK BISHOP

I wish to express my concern of the proposed change to the direction of Scottish Ballet and hope you can distribute the following points to the members of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

The press release of 15/08/01 states that "the Board (of Scottish Ballet/Scottish Opera) fully supports the executive’s vision." This a "vision" that the executive (Chris Barron, Chief Executive of Scottish Ballet/Scottish Opera) has not produced any facts or figures to prove that it is feasible artistically, financially or what the people of Scotland want.

No consultation with the public, the SAC or the artists was sought before the announcement.

Why has the Chief Executive decided to announce this refocusing of the SB? The press statement describes Scottish Ballet as it is now "a presenter of large-scale dance, including Ballet. It seems that the only reasons are to sack Robert North and save money by making the company smaller.

A spokesman for SB in the "Ai" (artsindustry) magazine said, "The company's repertoire will comprise new and contemporary works in place of classics." SB performs a mix of new and contemporary works as well classics as should be the remit of a national company. Indeed Scottish Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the National Art galleries all present a mix of old and new, representing the diversity of tastes in Scotland.

To change SB into a purely contemporary company will alienate its present audience not build on it.

SB's audiences are consistently above the TMA (Theatre Manager's Association) average by 20-25%.

SB can, and has in the past, presented large-scale classics in a similar manner to Scottish Opera. Like SB, SO does not have the contracted resources to perform large- scale classic operas like the Aida, Parsifal and the Ring without bringing in additional artists. If SO can why not SB.

There has been universal condemnation from the arts world to the propose change to SB including : The Herald - "Ballet's Classical Error", BBC Breakfast News - "Demise of Dance in Scotland", Daily Telegraph - "Scotland the brave has declared that ballet is dead……this otherwise potty idea."

The most surprising condemnation has been from the Scotsman whose dance critic, ex SB dancer, who was sacked because he wasn't very good and has been SB's harshest critic over the years.