SOLT & UK Theatre react to Arts Council England’s Incentivising Touring scheme

Arts Council England have launched a new pilot scheme to support and promote touring ecology in the theatre and dance sectors. It will offer repayable grants to producers to support them to tour to larger-scale venues and is intended to combat some of the challenges facing regional touring, and to ensure more people across England have access to a wide range of high-quality cultural experiences. 

National Theatre Productions Managing Director and SOLT President, Kash Bennett said: “Everyone deserves access to theatre no matter where they live. As SOLT President I look forward to continuing to work with UK Theatre, Arts Council England and other colleagues to learn from this innovative programme and ensure that touring becomes more sustainable. I started out in my career being a Stage Manager on touring productions, and now I deliver touring shows for the National Theatre. I know first-hand that touring is a vital, but fragile, part of our theatre ecosystem. The Incentivising Touring scheme is a great initiative that can alleviate some of the financial risk of touring larger-scale productions and ensure audiences across the country have the opportunity to experience world-class theatre.” 

Birmingham Hippodrome Artistic Director & Chief Executive and UK Theatre Joint President, Jon Gilchrist said: “From my role as Joint President of UK Theatre, from our members and the members of SOLT, I’m conscious that there is no shortage of brilliant work which would resonate with audiences across the UK. All that’s needed is a little support to unlock it.  Birmingham Hippodrome has been at the heart of the city for 125 years, providing world-class cultural experiences for people of all ages. We rely on our relationships with extraordinary companies and producers to curate a diverse theatre programme for West Midlands audiences. But this is getting harder and harder with rising costs, a difficult touring climate and a funding landscape that is already stretched.  I welcome the wider report into touring and the pilot Incentivising Touring scheme which is a critical intervention to support artistic excellence and stimulate economic growth.” 

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