Dr Carl Lavery - Theatre Studies, Lancaster University

Dear Richard and Judie,

The CPR is a world respected performance centre and attracts many of the world's best practitioners whom we would not see in Wales or the UK otherwise. To that extent, the CPR plays a crucial role in cultural exchange and puts Wales and Aberystywth squarely on the international map. I hate to think what will happen if the workshops, performance and seminars it offers and organizes were to disappear. Certainly, it would deprive the UK of the chance to see and experience the best and most cutting edge performance practitioners in the world, but it would also have a dreadful knock-on effect for UK performance in and by itself. As you know only too well, many of the UK's most exciting companies and theorists have benefited from the CPR's seasons and symposia. I am saddened by the decision of the Arts Council of Wales to withdraw funding; it seems dreadfully shortsighted and will harm, hugely, the exciting culture climate of Wales. It appears, from that perspective, almost stupidly suicidal.

On a personal note, my recent decision to accept a post as Senior Lecturer in Theatre Studies at Aberystywth was strongly influenced by the presence of the CPR. As a researcher, I need to see and partake in innovative performances and workshops. Cutting the CPR's funding will make that impossible and impact on researchers and students. It makes teaching in Wales a much less attractive option and will dissuade the best young scholars and students from attending the university and bringing their skills and energy to Wales in general.

Yours in hope,

Dr Carl Lavery
Theatre Studies
Lancaster University