France Invades Britain

In an effort to revitalize some high culture on British shores, French authorities are funding an entire season of Gallic theatre in the UK called ‘Paris Calling’. Though classic French works by the likes of Molière and Racine are common place in British venues, the French embassy noticed a lack of contemporary work breaking through to the mainstream. After contributing £200,000 in administration costs alone, the French have created a program of over 20 theatrical shows which will be staged in 21 venues across the country, from the Barbican to the Traverse Theatre. The Arts Council Britain has contributed £45,000 to the venture, and a European grant provides another £45,000. The cost of bringing over entire casts of productions and translating French texts into English is estimated to exceed £1m. Read the full Independent article here.