By: Andrew Jarvis

Andrew Jarvis — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:53:51 +0000

I must applaud the scepticism shown by Mr Coveney towards David Farr. Some years ago - whenever the timing was that Messrs Farr and Reade took over the running of Bristol Old Vic - Mr Farr was guilty of making the most irresponsible, untrue and arrogant remarks concerning the previous regime at the Old Vic. I had worked as an actor during the stewardship of Andy Hay as the previous Artistic Director, and the productions on which I worked were of the highest standards and ones which I am proud to have been associated with. Andy Hay sweated blood to keep the theatre in Bristol not only alive but thriving. His regime is to be celebrated. When I therefore came across Mr Farrs remarks - basically slagging Andy off, setting himself and his colleague as the Messiahs would would come to the rescue of theatre in Bristol - reinventing the theatrical wheel really, I had to protest. I wrote a letter to “The Stage” outlining the appalling dishonesty of Mr Farr’s remarks, and demanding a public apology on Andy Hay’s behalf. So far - total silence from Mr Farr. The irony of course is that Mr Farr and Mr Reade presided over the closure and almost criminal demise of Bristol Old Vic. Well done David and Simon - good work all round! So Hamish - maybe Mr Coveney, like me, has a healthy scepticism pointed in the right direction.

By: Hamish

Hamish — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:20:21 +0000

Not sure why you’re so unkeen on Farr. The stuff he has done for the RSC has often been first-rate. But in any event it is unfair and at best misleading and sly to say that he “walked out on commitments” to Bristol and Lyric. He left jobs for other jobs. People do. More should.

Comments on: Boyd Takes a Stand

By: Andrew Jarvis

By: Hamish