Direct Liaisons Comments On Councillor Conducting Theatre Trips For Children

May 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Orchestra conductor and new city culture leader Richard Lewis has pledged to roll out theatre visits for schoolchildren across Edinburgh to develop audiences of the future. Direct Liaisons, an Edinburgh-based sales and marketing company, were interested to hear that the respected musician aims to follow European models of exposing children to culture at an early age and open up arts venues to pupils.

“It’s really important for our children to be exposed to the arts at an early age,” said our source at Direct Liaisons, “It’s so important for their development into curious and creative adults.”

The Nationalist, elected a councillor last week, is among a number of elected members nominated for key leadership roles for the next five-year administration. Others include a former bit part actor and an ex-Ministry of Defence analyst. Cllr Lewis, 40, and the other leaders will be formally confirmed in their new roles later this month.

Cllr Lewis said: “Growing up in Edinburgh and going to James Gillespie’s we would read Arthur Miller and then be taken to the Lyceum to see the production and it brought the experience to life. Today there are far more barriers and paperwork for schools to get through and we’ve moved away from immersing our young people in an area that is so important to their development. Attendance at theatres has declined over the past ten years so if we can give pupils this experience early we will be preparing them to be the audience of the future.”

Our source at Direct Liaisons said, “It’s great to see a culture leader who is dedicated to getting our kids involved with theatre. It’s an art form that is sadly underappreciated, and a whole new generation is missing out on something they could really enjoy.”

The SNP have also nominated former fire-fighter Gavin Barrie to be convenor of the regulatory committee, which handles taxi rates and licences, and put forward former insurance broker Mike Bridgeman as convenor of the fire brigade board for a second term.

Labour will meet to finalise their team tomorrow but Cllr Maureen Child is in line to become housing and social care leader, and Cammy Day licensing leader. Former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds is expected to become transport leader, while Paul Godzik is set to oversee the city’s schools as education leader.

Nominees will be formally appointed to their posts later this month.

http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/politics/c...