Theatre touring 'in crisis' as performances of plays drop 70%

The "State of Touring report" highlights a steep and continuing decline in touring performances across England, particularly affecting drama plays, which saw a 72% drop. Musicals and dance also experienced significant reductions, nearing 50%. The report notes that while large-scale productions in major urban areas are generally more stable, mid-scale drama and dance, smaller productions, and work by emerging or underrepresented artists face the greatest financial challenges and are most at risk.

Industry experts and venues, including Theatre Royal Plymouth, emphasize that producing new work independently is increasingly difficult. This decline has implications for new talent, as fewer small-scale opportunities hinder early career artists from developing necessary skills. Arts Council England acknowledges the challenges, citing rising costs and a difficult funding environment, and plans to launch a new Touring Service to streamline funding and support innovation within the sector.