Tasmanian theatre people are upset that the state’s university is cutting its theatre degree, which is warned will mean aspiring performers will have to study on the mainland, (Emily Baker broke the yarn in The Mercury). But the University of Tasmania tells CMM the play is still the thing, that theatre, now taught “as a stream” in the Bachelor of Contemporary Arts will be a “flagship major,” in the Bachelor of Arts. “We have been working to improve the program that we offer, to grow our student numbers and to open up theatre to many more people. We’ve considered the best theatre offerings around the country and consulted with stakeholders as we developed what is a strong, contemporary program,” the university responds.

Good-o, but a learned reader suggests a major is “nothing compared to the immersive commitment required of a student a proper arts degree.”