As the Co-CEOs of the Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, it is a real pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Theatre Conference.
When we gathered here last, we were in the middle of a General Election. If a week is a long time in politics, then what a difference a year can make. We have worked hard to engage with the new Government on behalf of our members – and while we have made progress, there is still much more to do.
Two weeks ago, the Government published their Spending Review setting out the budget for Government departments. Sadly, it will not come as a surprise to anyone here to learn that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is once again faced with real terms cut to its spending.
This is in sharp contrast to the Government’s wider rhetoric. The creative industries are consistently positioned as a key driver of growth — and yesterday’s Creative Industries Sector Plan reaffirmed that message, naming music, performing arts and visual arts, including theatre, as a “frontier industry” with high growth potential.
That recognition is welcome. But the Plan offered no new interventions to support theatre directly and is yet unclear if wider schemes will be open to theatre. If we are serious about growth, we must match ambition with action — because it is public investment in culture that drives regional development, fuels innovation, and creates jobs. Whilst we recognise the wider financial pressures, every pound counts — and that makes it all the more important that public funding is directed towards delivering cultural impact, not sustaining unnecessary bureaucracy.
There are some encouraging signals. We’re pleased that Theatre Tax Relief has been reaffirmed as a core pillar of support. And we welcome the announcement that dormant assets will be used to help young people engage with culture. We are actively working with Government and other partners to help shape that into something with real and lasting impact.
We also know that many of you are already leading the way — collectively contributing millions of pounds every year to provide free or subsidised trips to the theatre, along with a wide range of educational opportunities for school children and young people. That impact deserves to be recognised and supported.
Because access to the arts changes lives. That’s why we continue to make the case that every child deserves the opportunity to go to the theatre before leaving school — not just because it’s magical, but because it sparks imagination, unlocks opportunity, and builds a sense of belonging.
That’s the scale of impact we’re talking about. And that’s what our own data bears out. We recently published The State of British Theatre, a landmark report drawing on data from across our membership. It revealed the strength and vibrancy of an industry that continues to entertain millions, power the UK’s global reputation, and contribute billions to the economy.
Thanks to all of you who responded to the surveys that informed this report. Our intention is to repeat this work annually so that we can start to look at trends and developments over time and further build our reputation as a credible and informed sector body. We would love to have even more of you contribute to the report next time round so please do look out for that later this year.
The report showed that in 2024, you – our SOLT and UK Theatre members – welcomed over 37 million audience members across the UK. That we have 5 million more visitors in the West end than Broadway. The West End even outperformed the Premier League, attracting 2.5 million more attendees, while football attendance grew by just 1%.
Yet behind those impressive numbers lies a more complex reality.
One in four theatre organisations ran a deficit last year. Nearly 40% of venues warn they may face closure without urgent capital investment. And the cost of putting on a show continues to rise for everyone.
Theatres are doing more with less. But the pressure is mounting. Rising costs combined with falling public investment – this is simply not sustainable.
If we want this world-class sector to thrive, we need long-term, strategic investment: In infrastructure, in people, and in the creative pipeline that feeds not just our own industry, but the whole of the creative industries.
Access to the arts changes lives. That is why we continue to make the case that every child deserves the opportunity to go to the theatre before leaving school – not just because it’s magical, but because it sparks imagination, unlocks opportunity, and builds a sense of belonging.
British theatre is not a luxury. It’s central to our cultural, economic and civic life – and our collective future.
The theme of today’s conference is collaboration – something that sits at the very heart of what we do.
Theatre is the ultimate team sport. There is no show without the collective expertise of lighting technicians, set builders, costume teams, producers, playwrights, venue staff, performers, and so many more, all working in concert.
Just as collaboration makes a show work, it also underpins the wider theatre ecosystem. Between West End and regional stages; commercial and not-for-profit companies, freelancers, touring companies, local authorities, and funders.
At SOLT and UK Theatre, we are proud to champion that spirit too.
Over the past year, we have worked with other sector bodies on issues that impact us all: The CBI and UK Hospitality on the Employment Rights Bill; The Association of British Orchestras and Pearle* to advocate for improved EU touring arrangements; And UK Music, to push for AI licensing frameworks that protect the intellectual property of our writers and creators.
This work is driven by our shared commitment to a stronger, fairer, more sustainable sector.
Over the past year, our SOLT & UK Theatre team has been working hard in pursuit of our mission to champion theatre and support our members to thrive.
Thank you also to you – to our SOLT & UK Theatre members for your ongoing commitment and engagement – whether that is contributing to a Board or committee, hosting a visit, responding to a survey or attending an event like today. It remains a privilege to work with you and to champion your wonderful work.
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