YORK Theatre Royal is to receive a grant of £392,000 from Yorkshire & Humberside Arts for the next financial year.

This standstill figure was anticipated by the theatre, and it effectively amounts to an £11,000 cut when the three per cent rate of inflation is taken into consideration. Indeed the theatre has not received an inflationary increase on its revenue funding since 1993.

The theatre's executive director, Elizabeth Jones, is worried by that trend, but sought to find a ray of sunshine.

"It is a matter of concern that grants are no longer inflation-linked, as it makes it more difficult for us to provide a wide choice of plays for the people of York and to keep ticket prices down, which we believe is important," she said.

"Having said that, we have to realise that the Arts Council has had its grants cut for 1998-99 by the Government, and we are glad Yorkshire & Humberside Arts have striven hard not pass those cuts down to the theatres."

The Theatre Royal's second major funding body, the City of York Council, will announce its grant allocation shortly. Officials are recommending a standstill grant of around £300,000.

Seventeen organisations are receiving increased funding, including the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. Its grant has risen by £66,000 to £296,000.

Like York Theatre Royal, standstill figures have also been given to Harrogate Theatre (£176,300) and Hull Truck Theatre (£170,700).

Ryedale Festival's grant has increased by £3,000 to £8,000 and, in a new allocation, Harrogate Festival will receive £9,000.

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