... closed Thorndike prepares to reopen as fears of supermarket take over are quashed. Page 2 No backing down Women's Playhouse Trust vows to fight for judicial review in fight over disclosure. Page 2 PACT-ed with problems Fears for PACT future as rumours grow that producer Pearson plans to quit. Page 3 Dirty work FAA's Hurst steps down from subcommittee, alleging smear tactics by opponents. Page ...

... Ray Frensham describes the challenge of producing a book on screenwriting See page 18 Worth knowing The Gulbenkian Foundation may have a low profile, but its work is important here Leader feature, page 6 Festivities continue Look out for another bumper pull-out supplement of Edinburgh reviews See pages 19-26 News 2 Suppliers 28 Leader 6 Classified 30 letters 7 Directory 39 Heydays 8 On Next ...

... inconsistent BBC attacked by veteran drama producer. Page 3 VaNoy-ant voices Welsh Millennium Centre bosses confident over £50 million Lottery bid. Page 4 Poor review Local authority threat to Glasgow venue's cross-border touring deals. Page 4 Musical chairs Further changes planned for Vivian Ellis Prize before 1998 showcase. Page 5 Assault charge First Leisure's Blackpool resorts chief ...

... Qo on my son Associate director Rickson is favourite to succeed Daldry at the Royal Court. Page 2 Do the writ thing Playwright vows to subpoena John Birt in discrimination case against Writers' Guild. Page 3 Red letter day Producer sorry after circulating letter promising investors actors could be shortchanged. Page 3 People power? Edinburgh Fringe puts quality before quantity as organisers go ...

... cream Jimmy O'Dea's tag as Ireland's greatest comic was a well deseved one Heydays, page 11 Centrally flawed Britain's individual Arts Councils fail to exert fiscal pressure on government See page 8 Four-taste Exclusive interview OUie Wilson talks to Channel 4 head of film David Aukin Broadcasting, page 30 New 2 Leader 8 LMMn 9 ShowPtoj* 10 Heydayt 11 Revival Banda 23 Btoadcaattng 30 CM 31 ...

... feature, page 8 Crown jewel Aberdeen's His Majesty's Theatre has the Donalds to thank for its sparkling past See pageU Global drama Lisa Martiand finds BBC World Service bringing theatre to the masses Broadcasting, page 24 Proud stance It takes more than money trouble to thwart Sheffield Theatres' future See page 26 Nam 2 OMuartn 27 Lead* 8 Supptan 27 Lett* 9 CtatsMad 29 ShowPaoc* 10 Dfrectoty ...

... move. Page 2 TM turned English National Opera boosted by £4.5 million sta bilisation hand out. Page 2 Mucking out Emmerdale nearly scrapped by Network Centre, Yorkshire chief reveals. Page 3 Pain too much Top comic Hurst may quit next year as crippling back condition worsens. Page 3 Power spreads Regions to get greater control over Lottery funds as devolu tion drive goes on. Page 4 BACup ...

... licence Dave Gelly calls for a review of a restrictive law on pub performers Leader feature, page 8 Star attractions Jessica Lange is the latest, many more went before Hollywooders love London See Heydays, page 11 Alive and kicking Former mining districts north of Nottingham enjoy a thriving club scene Clubs, page 33 News 2 Amateurs 34 Leader 8 Records 35 Lattan 9 Obituaries 37 ShowPupla 10 ...

... Ministers look on as Stafford- Clark savages Government at awards ceremony. Page 2 It's adding up More good news for Equity in ads dispute as agents' backing strengthens. Page 3 Adjustments needed BBC should look again at its costume dramas, says Tom Jones producer. Page 3 Save Its soul Administrator prepares res cue package for troubled Liverpool Playhouse. Page 4 Financial bust up ...

... Bank statement But what if Arts Council funds went to? Phil Gibby does some sums See page 8 All blacked up Hardly politically correct, but blackface minstrels made their mark in showbiz Heydays, page 10 A New End Brian Daniels hopes to breath new life into a Hampstead venue See page 32 News 2 Leader 8 Letters 9 Heydays 10 Showcall Prev 25 Broadcasting 31 Backstage 32 Suppliers 33 Obituaries ...

... question 'Reduce VAT on seats, top companies to tell Smith at London conference. Page 2 Supporters line up Personal managers back Equity line in meeting with advertising bosses. Page 3 Life's a negotiation Exclusive! This Life producer Garnett in new projects pledge to Ravenhill. Page 3 Time to investigate BECTU urges Smith to probe regional theatre crisis in southern England. Page 4 ...

... of a breakthrough as Equity meets to consider new, improved TMA offer. Page 2 Increase The Comedy Too much drama, not enough laughs, ITC tells Channel 3 franchisees. Page 3 King Creole No kidding First Leisure reveals its 1997 Blackpool summer season star. Page 3 What's on offer News feature: An in-depth look at the General Election. What are the parties promising the arts? How will leading ...