Theater CEO Julian Bird praises the ‘resilience’ of the field as he is named OBE
Julian Bird, former chief executive of the Theater Association of London (Solt) and Theater UK, hailed the “remarkable resilience” of the sector after being named an OBE in the Honors. New Year.
ird, 48, stepped down from the role this year after delaying her exit in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry.
Once an executive at the Tate gallery, Bird joined Solt in November 2010 and helped deliver the annual Olivier Awards as executive producer.
Near to
Julian Bird worked with Sir Sam Mendes, above, during the pandemic (PA)
He has also campaigned for Government financial support during Covid-19 – ahead of the launch of the £1.57 billion Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF).
Bird, who is on the annual list for his services to the theater, paid tribute to the “so many people” who have contributed to the success of the field over the past few years.
He told the PA news agency: “It was a time of tremendous change – changes in society, changes in the way the industry views itself and the people it hires and engages with, and of course. , with several major and very dramatic events occurring throughout the process. At that time, with a pandemic that I don’t think anyone could have foreseen pulling the industry to a breaking point.
“But the remarkable hindsight is how resilient the theater industry has been and how it has come together and how we have been able to make a strong argument with the Government for support. which we eventually received in the form of a CRF.”
I’m sure the stage will continue to change and adapt but that doesn’t mean it won’t be difficultJulian Bird on the future of theatre
Praising those who have worked to protect the theater industry during the pandemic, Bird added: “Theatrical productions come about through creativity and collaboration and both of those things have shined in two or the past three years.
“I am honored to receive an OBE but it is not just mine.
“Many, many people have contributed to all that success and it is that collaboration and that creativity that is central and central.”
Bird has helped Sir Sam Mendes, acclaimed director of films such as Skyfall and 1917 and plays including The Lehman Trilogy and The Ferryman, to lead a fund for those who work in the liberal theater who have donated millions of dollars during the pandemic.
Earlier this year, he founded Green Room Ents with producer and theater owner Nica Burns, and they’ve since produced movies aboard the Cunard, with plans for further projects in Washington DC. and London.
Bird warned that despite “some temporary relief” from the Government, energy prices will become a “real challenge” for the industry in the coming months.
Video of the day
He added: “And of course the cost of living. But the good news is that it seems to have had a successful Christmas season so far. Theater has shown how resilient it is.
“The theater industry, if you look back over the past three years, it has shown its incredible resilience, to all the blows that have come to it.
“I’m sure the stage will continue to change and adapt but that doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult.”
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/theatre-executive-julian-bird-praises-resilience-of-sector-as-he-is-made-obe-42253761.html Theater CEO Julian Bird praises the ‘resilience’ of the field as he is named OBE
