Radachairmanquits
SIR STEPHEN Waley-Cohen, the chairman of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada), has said he is standing down from the role.
Explaining his reasons for his departure, Sir Stephen told the JC thetimewas right for a younger person to take over from him at the world famous drama school.
The 74-year-old theatre-owner and producer said he had asked Rada’s council to begin the process of finding his successor. He has served as chair since 2007, which he said was a longer period than that recommended by the Charities Commission.
Sir Stephen, who is president of the JCA charitable foundation, which supports projects in rural Israel, said his decisiontostanddownhad“noconnection to any specific events or activities”.
The JC had been contacted by two sources claiming Sir Stephen had previously voiced objections to comments made by the actress Maxine Peake — a member of Rada’s Council — in which she falsely blamed Israel for the killing of the American George Floyd.
Sir Stephen, who previously stood as a Conservative Party election candidate, also faced claims earlier this year, made by director Edward Kemp, that “Rada has been and currently is institutionally racist”.
But Sir Stephen said on Thursday: “Your assumptions – including the statement that I had an objection to her remaining on the council – concerning Maxine Peake are incorrect and have no bearing” on his decision to quit as chair.
In a statement, he added: “I have asked the Council of Rada (through their Nominations and Successions Committee) to begin the process of finding my successor, as I have been Chairman since 2007, which is longer than recommended by the Charities Commission for holding such a position; also I will, during next year, reach the age of 75, and in my view it would be right for a younger person to lead Rada as it moves forward to a very successful future.”
In recent months Rada’s student body openly criticised “our inadequate response to the Black Lives Matter movement”. A statement published on the Rada website added: “We apologise unreservedly for failings of action, leadership and our systems in making Rada a safe and inclusive environment for black staff and students.”
But sources told the JC that Sir Stephen was left surprised by the lack of support he received from within Rada when he raised concerns over actress Ms Peake’s remarks relating to Israel and the wider criticism she has received from over her support for Jeremy Corbyn over antisemitism allegations.
Assumptions concerning Maxine Peake have no bearing on my decision to quit as chair’