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LONDON, Sep 20, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- British theaters are banding together to finance a nationwide tour of "Jerry Springer: The Opera" after the Arts Council England denied it funding.
The activist group Christian Voice objected to the national tour of the award-winning West End musical and threatened to picket any venues where it played, Sky News reported Tuesday.
As a result of the threat and lack of funding, one-third of the regional theaters scheduled to host the show pulled out.
However, 21 other theaters stepped up and agreed to pool marketing costs to save money and help the show's tour. In addition, the show's creators are waiving their royalties and the Avalon is investing a good portion of the show's cost, Sky News said.
In expressing his delight, composer and co-writer Richard Thomas said he was "overjoyed."
"These theaters have come together and asked, 'What do we have to do to get this show on the road?' They have decided they will not be dictated to by a group like Christian Voice."
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
