Sir, - Your "Straight From The Arts" column of October 3rd contained an inaccuracy regarding the funding relationship between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Ulster Theatre Company which has had to withdraw its production, Murder In The Cathedral, from the Belfast Festival at Queen's.
The Arts Council did indeed decide not to allocate £25,000 to the company for this production, for the very good reason that the sum requested exceeded the total funds available in our drama and dance budget for project funding in this quarter. But it is absolutely not the case that this decision left the show with "a deficit of £25,000"; nor was it the council's decision which made it impossible for the show to go on.
The column's one on one, cause and effect interpretation of these facts is unique to itself. It is not shared by the Arts Council; nor, importantly, by the Ulster Theatre Company, with which the Arts Council continues to enjoy cordial relations. -Yours, etc.,
Public affairs officer,
Arts Council of Northern Ireland,
Belfast.