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A recent comprehensive report has shed light on the dire state of touring across theatre, music, dance, and opera in England, describing the landscape as being “in crisis.” The study warns that without immediate and significant intervention, many parts of the sector may not survive. This conclusion comes from the State of Touring report, commissioned by Arts Council England, which reveals a sharp decline in touring performances, particularly affecting drama productions.
Touring drama shows have experienced a dramatic decrease, with performances falling by nearly 75% between 2019 and 2024. While the overall number of touring events dropped by 24% during this period, musicals and dance productions also faced significant reductions, each losing almost half of their touring frequency. The report highlights that mid-scale and smaller productions, along with works by disabled and Global Majority artists and emerging talents, have been hit hardest by financial challenges and are at the greatest risk of disappearing.
The report emphasizes that many touring companies and venues have seen rising costs coupled with shrinking income streams, problems that were worsened by the pandemic and ongoing funding cuts. It warns that the sector requires more than temporary fixes, calling instead for a “radical rethink.” Efforts to patch funding gaps without adequate resources might only delay the inevitable decline, according to the authors from the Audience Agency, who stress the need for a new strategic vision for touring in England. Collaboration and innovation among touring organizations are also encouraged to help reverse the downward trend.
Voices from the industry underscore the urgency of the situation. Theatre Royal Plymouth notes the increasing difficulty of producing new work independently, linking funding cuts to fewer opportunities for emerging artists to build the necessary skills and confidence through small-scale performances. Hannah Lake, Arts Council England’s director of touring transformation, describes touring as essential to both cultural ecosystems and audience engagement nationwide. To address these challenges, Arts Council England plans to introduce a new Touring Service aimed at simplifying funding processes and enabling organizations to more confidently innovate and collaborate. The Local Theatre Touring Alliance praised the report for highlighting the pressures faced by touring, particularly in venues beyond major cities, and expressed hope that its inclusion in the report signals growing momentum towards sector-wide solutions
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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