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Spacey complains over BBC shows Spacey complains over BBC shows
(about 2 hours later)
Actor and theatre director Kevin Spacey has criticised the BBC for airing talent shows such as Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Anything.Actor and theatre director Kevin Spacey has criticised the BBC for airing talent shows such as Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Anything.
"I felt that was essentially a 13-week promotion for a musical - where's our 13-week programme?" Spacey said."I felt that was essentially a 13-week promotion for a musical - where's our 13-week programme?" Spacey said.
The Hollywood star is artistic director at the Old Vic theatre in London.The Hollywood star is artistic director at the Old Vic theatre in London.
"I have spoken to your chairman but he has yet to get back to me," Spacey said. The BBC replied that its shows were not "unduly promotional"."I have spoken to your chairman but he has yet to get back to me," Spacey said. The BBC replied that its shows were not "unduly promotional".
Spacey also suggested he would like to see the return of Play For Today on the BBC.Spacey also suggested he would like to see the return of Play For Today on the BBC.
In its heyday, the Play for Today strand produced such TV landmarks as Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, Ken Loach's Cathy Come Home and Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills.In its heyday, the Play for Today strand produced such TV landmarks as Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, Ken Loach's Cathy Come Home and Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills.
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do, on the other hand, scoured the country for hopefuls to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber productions of The Sound of Music and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do, on the other hand, scoured the country for hopefuls to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber productions of The Sound of Music and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The latest show, I'd Do Anything, is seeking to find the roles of Nancy and Oliver in Lionel Bart's musical version of Oliver Twist.The latest show, I'd Do Anything, is seeking to find the roles of Nancy and Oliver in Lionel Bart's musical version of Oliver Twist.
Lord Lloyd-Webber is still on the judging panel, although Oliver! is being produced by his friend, Sir Cameron Mackintosh.Lord Lloyd-Webber is still on the judging panel, although Oliver! is being produced by his friend, Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
'Interesting ideas''Interesting ideas'
Spacey said it was "great" that people were getting "interested in the West End and theatres", but he thought the BBC's talent shows were "crossing the line" and "unfair". I'd Do Anything finalists battle it out for the role of Nancy in Oliver!Spacey said it was "great" that people were getting "interested in the West End and theatres", but he thought the BBC's talent shows were "crossing the line" and "unfair".
He suggested the corporation broadcast a series about the theatre "to help kids find their own sense of self-esteem, confidence and ability to collaborate".He suggested the corporation broadcast a series about the theatre "to help kids find their own sense of self-esteem, confidence and ability to collaborate".
"These are interesting ideas, now they're not sexy so maybe they don't want to put them on air," he told BBC entertainment reporter Colin Paterson."These are interesting ideas, now they're not sexy so maybe they don't want to put them on air," he told BBC entertainment reporter Colin Paterson.
Spacey warned that it was time to start building the next generation of theatre-goers, "and if we don't, we'll lose them all to TV".Spacey warned that it was time to start building the next generation of theatre-goers, "and if we don't, we'll lose them all to TV".
The BBC said it "always reflected" other West End shows in its talent programmes, and stressed its "longstanding commitment as a patron of the arts".The BBC said it "always reflected" other West End shows in its talent programmes, and stressed its "longstanding commitment as a patron of the arts".
A spokeswoman pointed out that the corporation had no commercial interest in the subsequent West End productions of Oliver!, Joseph, or the Sound Of Music.A spokeswoman pointed out that the corporation had no commercial interest in the subsequent West End productions of Oliver!, Joseph, or the Sound Of Music.
She added that, for a talent search to have "true credibility", the BBC needed to put the eventual winner in a real West End role.She added that, for a talent search to have "true credibility", the BBC needed to put the eventual winner in a real West End role.
Spacey is currently starring in David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow at the Old Vic.Spacey is currently starring in David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow at the Old Vic.