Big, bold Brit to run arts at Ground Zero
mainThrilled to hear that David Lan, head of the Young Vic, has been appointed advisor to the embryonic arts centre that is supposed to rise on the site of the 9/11 attacks.
The New York Times, which breaks the appointment, fails to share much of David’s track record at the Vic. Downwind from the snazzy Old Vic, he has been pushing a modernist agenda for more than a decade, bringing back Becket, staging a Birtiwstle opera, premiering unknown playwrights and giving the late Patrice Chereau his only production in Britain.
Clearly, New York Times readers don’t know what they’ve got but, by chance or design, they’ve got a good’un.
Let’s hope he lasts. Although given the support that Mortier’s vision for City Opera received in New York, I’m not optimistic.
As talented as Mr. Lan may be it bothers me that one of many exceptionally and equally talented American administrators wasn’t chosen for this particular position.
I, for one, am relieved they didn’t choose an American. As far as I can tell, the Americans leading major musical institutions (at least) have been formed too much by rampant consumerism to challenge just that aspect of so much current-day artistic activity.
Huh?!
CR;s wishes have been granted! The USAn David Langford has been appointed as general manager and chief operating officer, (which is probably what CR means by “administrator”). David Lan is the artistic director.
I am aware that Mr. Lan is the Artistic Director and I still feel strongly that anything related to Ground Zero should be administered, designed or directed by Americans.