Challenges & Opportunities - MPs have launched an inquiry into the impact Brexit is likely to have on the arts. The culture, media and sport committee said its inquiry would examine the "challenges and opportunities" that leaving the European Union would bring. In particular, it is looking at whether the creative sector will be able to "attract and retain talent" across the world when the UK leaves the EU as a result of June's referendum, and whether "onerous visa requirements" could see a drop in the number of people coming to the UK after Brexit.

The inquiry will also examine what impact the loss of EU funding could have on the sector and whether the government would replace these funds. News of the inquiry follows concerns raised within the arts that Brexit will have negative consequences for the sector.

Last week, former Ambassador Theatre Group chief executive Rosemary Squire said any restrictions on free movement would "make it harder for us to produce quality content and run our theatres profitably". National Theatre director Rufus Norris has also expressed concern about the financial damage leaving the EU could have on the venue.

The Beatles Live - Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have reunited for the premiere of a film telling the story of The Beatles' live tours. The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years recounts the Fab Four's rise to megastar status from their gigs in The Cavern Club in Liverpool to sell-out tours of the US.

The film was made by Oscar-winning director Ron Howard and was debuted in Liverpool and in London's Leicester Square. Footage from the band's historic Shea Stadium concert in New York, the first of its kind to play to more than 55,000 people, has been remastered for the documentary.

Grime Wins - Grime artist Skepta has been announced as the winner of the Mercury Prize, one of the UK's leading music awards. The north London-born singer won the award and the £25,000 prize for his fourth studio album Konnichiwa at the ceremony at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London. The album was released on Skepta's Boy Better Know record label which he co-founded with his brother JME in 2005 and was described by industry figures as "confident, funny, clever, scary, personal and political". He beat the bookies' favourite, David Bowie, who would have become the first posthumous winner of the prize for his album Blackstar.

(Jim Evans)


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