SOLT & UK Theatre comment on ‘British Theatre Before and After Covid’ report

Commenting on the British Theatre Consortium’s British Theatre Before and After Covid report, SOLT & UK Theatre Co-CEO Claire Walker said: 

“The British Theatre Consortium’s report echoes our own findings: audiences are back, demand for live performance remains strong, and new work continues to energise the sector. Musicals are driving attendance and income, and almost half of all performances now involve new writing. It is particularly heartening that the number of plays by female playwrights has substantially increased, encouraging new and diverse voices to be heard on our stages.  

“The reduced number of productions, coupled with longer runs, reflects a sector adapting to rising costs and changing audience behaviour. However, the fall in drama productions, particularly outside London, signals some pressure on the breadth of work that can be staged. 

“British theatre is the best in the world because there is something for everyone, from bold new work and adaptations of beloved stories to revivals of iconic productions. However, without sustained investment to support production and talent development, the repertoire risks narrowing. To maintain our global reputation and provide audiences with the breadth of work they expect, long-term support is essential.”