One of the UK’s most respected actors is to resign from the Royal Shakespeare Company as a backlash against big oil’s financing of the arts gathers momentum. Mark Rylance, who has been an associate artist with the RSC for 30 years, said BP’s sponsorship deal allowed the company to “obscure the destructive reality of its activities”, which he said threatened the future of the planet. The move will be a blow to the RSC, which said it was saddened by Rylance’s announcement. “The RSC could turn this situation on its head and give young people much more value than a cheap £5 ticket. “In addressing the climate challenge facing all of us, it is critical that everyone plays their part: individuals, governments and companies such as BP.

Source: The Guardian June 21, 2019 15:31 UTC