Jessica Cohen & Jim Ennis - Artistic Directors , Earthfall, Cardiff

Peter Tyndale
Chief Executive
Arts Council of Wales


Dear Peter

We would like to express our surprise and deep regret that Arts Council of Wales wish to withdraw revenue funding from The Centre for Performance Research. We understand the need for ACW to periodically review its client base and the directive from our Culture Minister not to fund mediocrity but high quality work. We agree with these criteria but feel strongly that the length of time CPR have been funded has been money well spent and the work done by CPR is exemplary for its high standards and world renown recognition.

CPR continues to enable Welsh practitioners and audiences to experience unprecedented world class performances, educational workshops and master classes.

Through more than 30 years of developing partnerships and building relationships CPR has brought into Wales great individuals such as Grotowski, Eugenio Barba and Patricia Bardi to deliver master classes. They have run festivals of world note ie Giving Voice and Restless Gravity. They have hosted many of the best companies from all over the world in performance and theatre research ie The Peking Opera from China, Gardienice from Poland and Odin Theatre from Denmark to name a few.

CPR’s unique and comprehensive archiving and analysis of Welsh and International companies is a much used resource. Their theatre publications and the archive is one of the most important resources for theatre in the world and provides a physical legacy to an otherwise ethereal art form.
Without CPR this research and hosting of such vital theatre work will not happen in Wales. CPR has developed their contacts and partnerships over 30 years, no other organisation could deliver this programme with the dedication, knowledge and consistency that they have shown.
CPR will not function on project funding, the organisation needs the continuity of revenue funding to enable the appropriate lead in time for these ambitious projects and to achieve an appropriate level of quality activity.

We very much hope that the Welsh Arts Council will reverse their decision on the future funding of The Centre for Performance Research.

Yours sincerely,

Jessica Cohen , Jim Ennis
Artistic Directors
Earthfall, Cardiff