Bryan Biggs - Artistic Director, The Bluecoat

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my concern at the withdrawal of revenue funding by the Arts Council of Wales to the Centre for Performance Research.The organisation performs a valuable and indeed unique service that is respected well beyond its local and national context. The impact of its pioneering interdisciplinary performance work is truly international. My own organisation, whilst it has not worked directly with CPR, has had fruitful dialogue with it over several years; and acclaimed artists such as the Mexican American group La Pocha Nostra and Angie Hiesl from Germany have or are planning to work here in Liverpool partly as a result of this dialogue and our shared enthusiasm for these artists, the latter of whom will be performing here as one of our European Capital of Culture highlights.

I regard CPR therefore as part of a significant network of performance practitioners that transcends national barriers and stylistic and artform distinctions, to create a precious space where artists can come together in a challenging environment of experimentation and dialogue.Without continued Arts Council funding of CPR, I fear their work will be severely limited in its scope, and that knowledge and experience gained, and the extensive global connections made over the past thirty years, will be in danger of being dissipated. Whilst appreciating the alternative offered by you to CPR to apply for project funding, this is no substitute for revenue support and the certainty and ability this gives to organisations to plan effectively and strategically.

Finally, I should like to emphasise that I have been impressed by the quality and integrity CPR’s work. Judie and Richard’s important role in developing innovative performance practice will be sorely missed if the funding cut is not overturned.

Yours sincerely

Bryan Biggs
Artistic Director

The Bluecoat, Liverpool