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Spacey complains over BBC shows Spacey complains over BBC shows
(about 1 hour 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. "These Saturday night shows celebrate musical theatre generally, not just one West End show," said Elaine Bedell, controller of entertainment commissioning.
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. "The BBC is committed to finding and supporting new musical talent as part of its longstanding commitment as a patron of the arts."
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. 'Crossing the line'
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. Speaking to BBC entertainment reporter Colin Paterson, Spacey said it was "great" people were getting "interested in the West End and theatres".
Lord Lloyd-Webber is still on the judging panel, although Oliver! is being produced by his friend, Sir Cameron Mackintosh. However, he said he thought the BBC's talent shows were "crossing the line" and "unfair".
'Interesting ideas' I'd Do Anything finalists battle it out for the role of Nancy in Oliver!He suggested the corporation instead broadcast a series about the theatre "to help kids find their own sense of self-esteem, confidence and ability to collaborate".
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". "These are interesting ideas, but they're not sexy so maybe they don't want to put them on air," he said while promoting his latest film 21.
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". Spacey said it was time to start building the next generation of theatregoers. "If we don't, we'll lose them all to TV," he warned.
"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. He also said he would like to see the return of Play For Today, the landmark BBC series that produced Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party and Ken Loach's Cathy Come Home.
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". Judging panel
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do scoured the country for hopefuls to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's productions of The Sound of Music and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
I'd Do Anything is currently seeking to find its Nancy and Oliver for a new staging of Lionel Bart's musical version of Oliver Twist.
HAVE YOUR SAY If Joseph had not been chosen through a talent show the £70 price tag for a ticket would be much lower Peter, ManchesterSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY If Joseph had not been chosen through a talent show the £70 price tag for a ticket would be much lower Peter, ManchesterSend us your comments
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". Oliver! is being produced by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, though Lord Lloyd-Webber remains on the judging panel.
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. The BBC said it "always reflected" other West End shows in its talent programmes.
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. It also pointed out the corporation had no commercial interest in the West End productions of Oliver!, Joseph or The Sound Of Music.
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.
Gambling drama 21, the number one film in North America over the weekend, is released in the UK on 11 April.