Madam, - May I, with a bitter heart, congratulate the Arts Council on its recent draconian cut in funding to Ballet Ireland. In one fell swoop it has greatly reduced the chance of Irish ballet dancers finding any employment in their own country, endangered the future of many small theatres around the country to which Ballet Ireland tour and deprived many, myself included, of much pleasure and enrichment in our lives.
Isn't the Arts Council supposed to support all the arts? Or is that just wishful thinking? - Yours, etc.,
Green Road,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - The Arts Council decision to rescind 80 per cent of the funds allotted to Ballet Ireland effectively destroys a company whose reputation and following have been growing annually. It will be Ireland's shame if it, among all EU countries (and all Western countries), has not even one classical ballet company.
The revenue generated by Ballet Ireland in Dublin and in the many communities it visits in Ireland would far exceed the investment needed to keep this company operational; now it is going to have to cancel an extensive tour, renege on theatre bookings, and fire its 25 dancers. This is appalling. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK MAYNARD,
London,
Ontario,
Canada.