BBC director general confirms autumn departure by Matthew Hemley

BBC director general Mark Thompson has confirmed he will be stepping down from the post in the autumn.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:00am on March 19, 2012☆⚑

Downton producer to make three-part thriller for ITV by Matthew Hemley

Rupert Penry-Jones and Shaun Evans are to star in a three-part adaptation of Blake Morrison's book The Last Weekend, which is being made by Downton Abbey producer Carnival Films for ITV1.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 6:10am on March 19, 2012☆⚑

Tim Rice to receive special Olivier award by Matthew Hemley

Lyricist Tim Rice is to be honoured for his outstanding contribution to musical theatre at this year's Olivier Awards.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 7:10am on March 16, 2012☆⚑

ITV to mark Des O'Connor's 80th with one-off programme by Matthew Hemley

Des O'Connor's 80th birthday will be marked by ITV with a special one-off programme about the entertainer.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 7:33am on March 15, 2012☆⚑

BBC plans download service by Matthew Hemley

The BBC has unveiled plans to make its content available on a download-to-own basis.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 7:23am on March 15, 2012☆⚑

Deborah Sargeant joins Sky's entertainment team by Matthew Hemley

Sky head of entertainment Phil Edgar Jones has appointed Deborah Sargeant as a commissioning editor in his team.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 6:47am on March 15, 2012☆⚑

So Television under fire again over ads for unpaid extras by Matthew Hemley

Production company So Television has been accused of reneging on a vow not to advertise for unpaid performers, after it appealed for extras to appear for free.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 5:35am on March 15, 2012☆⚑

Female-led theatre company Foursight to close due to ACE cuts by Matthew Hemley

A female-led theatre company established 25 years ago is to close in May, after losing its regular funding from Arts Council England.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 5:35am on March 15, 2012☆⚑

Kander and Ebb gala show cancelled by Matthew Hemley

A tribute gala to songwriting duo Kander and Ebb, which was due to take place at the Victoria Palace on April 29, has been cancelled.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 12:13pm on March 13, 2012☆⚑

BBC and National Theatre Wales team up for writers' award by Matthew Hemley

National Theatre Wales and BBC Cymru Wales have launched a new £10,000 award for Wales-based writers.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:03am on March 13, 2012☆⚑

EastEnders executive Bryan Kirkwood to leave by Matthew Hemley

EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood is to step down after two years.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:53am on March 12, 2012☆⚑

ITV orders full series of Morse prequel by Matthew Hemley

ITV has commissioned a full series of Morse prequel Endeavour.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:30am on March 12, 2012☆⚑

Jason Donovan and Mel C to help Lloyd Webber find a Superstar by Matthew Hemley

Jason Donovan and Melanie Chisholm are to help Andrew Lloyd Webber find performers to take part in ITV's forthcoming series Superstar.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 11:26am on March 12, 2012☆⚑

Danielle Hope to join Les Mis cast by Matthew Hemley

Danielle Hope is to take on the role of Eponine in the West End production of Les Miserables.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 6:55am on March 9, 2012☆⚑

Carley Stenson to join Shrek by Matthew Hemley

Carley Stenson is to take over from Kimberley Walsh as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 12:52pm on March 8, 2012☆⚑

Scots actor Elaine C Smith calls for less London TV bias by Matthew Hemley

Scottish actor Elaine C Smith has joined calls for more TV programmes to be made and cast in the nations and regions, claiming areas outside the capital are being neglected by commissioners …

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:12am on March 8, 2012☆⚑

Vic Reeves to star in new BBC2 comedy by Matthew Hemley

Vic Reeves is to star in a new BBC comedy called Hebburn, which was piloted last year as part of the Corporation's Salford Sitcom Showcase.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:56am on March 6, 2012☆⚑

Jason Manford to appear in Sweeney Todd by Matthew Hemley

Comic Jason Manford is to join the cast of Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi, playing the role of Pirelli.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:54am on March 6, 2012☆⚑

Equity welcomes Court of Appeal Digital Economy Act ruling by Matthew Hemley

Equity has welcomed a Court of Appeal ruling which paves the way for the government to introduce the Digital Economy Act, which is aimed at tackling copyright infringement online.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 9:39am on March 6, 2012☆⚑

BECTU hits out at BBC's pay offer by Matthew Hemley

BECTU has criticised a 1% pay rise offer from the BBC, claiming it is an attempt by the Corporation to make its staff pay for "last year's bungled negotiations over the future level of the l…

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 10:06am on March 5, 2012☆⚑

Guild examines TV writers' complaints about broadcasters by Matthew Hemley

The Writers Guild of Great Britain is investigating complaints raised on Facebook highlighting the mistreatment of its members working on television series.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 9:53am on March 1, 2012☆⚑

Street theatre company faces closure as cuts bite by Matthew Hemley

A street theatre company that has been operating for more than 40 years is facing closure after losing its regular funding from Arts Council England.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 9:51am on March 1, 2012☆⚑

Equity in clear over rule change to deal with racist members by Matthew Hemley

Claims that a rule-change referendum breached Equity's own regulations have been dismissed following an investigation.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 5:23am on March 1, 2012☆⚑

ITV orders Selfridges drama by Matthew Hemley

ITV has ordered a ten-part drama series about the life of Harry Gordon Selfridge, who opened the famous department store, Selfridges, on Oxford Street.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 4:48am on March 1, 2012☆⚑

Channel 4's Top Boy and The Promise receive nominations for the RTS Programme Awards by Matthew Hemley

Channel 4 dramas Top Boy and The Promise will compete with BBC2's The Crimson Petal and the White for the title of best drama serial at this year's Royal Television Society Programme Awards.

SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 9:05am on February 28, 2012☆⚑