Peter Billingham - Reader in Drama and Performance and Playwright, University of Portsmouth

I am writing to pledge my support to the invaluable and continuing work of the Centre for Performance Research. This network and indeed body is not one that can exist in any meaningful sense on a project funded basis but rather requires consistent, efficient and practical support for its infrastructure and future development.

In these times of increasing political and social atomisation and consequent alienation in the lives of so many of our fellow human beings and citizens, the eclectic, cultural-political inclusivity that informs CPRs work is essential in offering progressive opportunities and channels for radicalised social cohesion and integration through the arts.

'The people without vision will perish'.

I support you in all of your efforts to overturn this ill considered and cynically pragmatic decision regarding your funding.

best wishes

Peter Billingham
Reader in Drama and Performance and Playwright
Author of 'At the Sharp End' (Methuen 2007)
University of Portsmouth