The resignation of Roxana Silbert as artistic director of Hampstead theatre, after the loss of its annual grant of £766,455 from the Arts Council, is a significant moment. It represents not just her personal disenchantment but the collapse of the dream, initiated 60 years ago by James Roose-Evans, that north London should have its own hub of new writing. Other London theatrical institutions have also lost their grants. The Donmar Warehouse has lost more than £500,000; Stockroom, which provides a creative space for dramatists, £426,352; and the Gate, which only recently moved to new premises, £306,330. The writing is on the wall. Where there will be less of it (by living playwrights) is on London stages.
Does it matter? London is not short of new writing venues. And, as part of the grand scheme of Nadine Dorries, former secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, the regions will gain £24m sucked out of the metropolis.
