Yesterdays York Council meeting has piled pressure on the Artistic Director, of York’s soon to be unveiled Rose Theatre, to change the published cycle of Shakespearean plays.
A virtuoso audition at last nights York Council meeting, by former Tory Council Leader David Carr, could see Julius Caesar added to the theatre bill.
Caesar famously abolished the democratic traditions of Rome’s senate before declaring himself “Dictator”. Many of Caesars opponents mysteriously disappeared in the process.
It was left to Brutus and other conspirators to end the regime when they stabbed Caesar in the back (and front, and pretty much everywhere else).
Carr is likely to be at a loose end this summer as he has quit the Tory party so may be persuaded to take on the lead role. Who would take the role of Brutus is still to be revealed. Conservative members will be forming an orderly queue.
In the meantime it is to be hoped that York Councillors will quickly get together to agree a new management arrangement. There have been 5 Council Leaders during the last 4 years with another getting within 2 minutes of appointment last night before the daggers were drawn again.
LibDem Councillor Andrew Waller, who was also the York Council Leader between 2008 and 2011, will be the acting Leader for the next week or so.
By now Councillors should have worked out that a more inclusive way of doing business is required in a balanced authority were no party holds more than 28% of the seats.
It is probably too late to reintroduce the “committee system” before next years all out elections.
However, an agreement to form an all party Executive, to guide the City through what is likely to be a difficult year, could be the best way forward.
But that would require all Groups to behave in a constructive way and for the “gladius” to be sheathed for a while at least
