Star treatment for Balearic theatre

PALMA
THE Balearic government announced yesterday that it is to spearhead a high profile promotion campaign boosting regional theatrical and musical productions, whether they are performed in Catalan, Castillian or in English.

Balearic Education and Culture minister, Barbara Galmes, explained that 1'500 books in CD form are to be distributed both nationally and internationally at theatre and dramatic art festivals, and at centres staging innovative forms of play-writing. Particular emphasis will be placed on links with other European countries.

Galmes, who has signed a collaboration agreement with Majorcan Radio and Television director, Marisa Goñi, said that 22 playwrights and five actors from the Islands have been commissioned to bring the world of theatre closer to the public, initially through the use of radio. The scheme includes a broadcast every Saturday starting on 26th April, by means of a ten-minute slot with “Ona Mallorca” presented by Rosa Campomar, in which actors will perform unedited plays written by Balearic dramatists, written expressly for the purpose. The project forms part of a wider aim by the ministry for Culture to give support to creators and producers in the field of art and culture in the Balearics.

Galmes confirmed that the signed agreement includes the broadcasting of 22 programmes which will go out on air between 26th April and December this year. It is also planned that Ona Mallorca will cede the rights of broadcasting to other stations in the Balearics. The minister said that the radio slot will be in Catalan, as a means of adhering to and supporting, regional linguistic practice as recommended by the government.

Marisa Goñi declared that the project will be a real boost to the culture of the Islands as well as serving as a “window of publicity” for the actors and musicians of the Balearics. “It's important,” she said “to make the international community realise we are not just a destination for sun, sea and sand.”