UK newspaper ethics 'crisis' inspires new theatre performance

The "current crisis" engulfing UK newspaper journalism has inspired a new fast-turnaround theatre production that will launch in Glasgow at the end of April.

The National Theatre of Scotland and the London Review of Books have teamed up to produce Enquirer, which will be performed in an empty floor of an office block in Glasgow's digital media quarter at Pacific Quay, before moving to London later in the year.

It is based on more than 50 interviews with people working in the newspaper industry - from reporters to printers and newsagents - conducted by journalists Paul Flynn, Deborah Orr and Ruth Wishart.

The transcripts from the interviews will be edited into a script, and the project will be updated throughout the rehearsal and performance period to reflect the current state of events in the phone hacking story and the Leveson inquiry.
                 
The NTS said that journalists, past and present, from most of the major national daily newspapers, had already given interviews for the project.

"The project has been put together as a rapid response to the unfolding events of recent months in the newspaper industry," the theatre said in a release.

"The promenade production will explore the recent past, present and future of newspaper journalism in the UK and beyond and will be woven through with fact, anecdote, strong opinion, passion and theatricality."

Enquirer will be performed from 26 April to 12 May at The Hub at Pacific Quay, Glasgow. Full details for the London run will be announced at a later date.

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