The touring of theatre and performing arts across the UK is essential for audiences, and for our industry.
Discussions at the Theatre and Touring Symposium in 2018 made clear that the touring, producing and presenting ecology has changed considerably in recent years. Many described new financial pressures, which place increased strain on relationships between Producers and Venues.
UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre (SOLT) committed to explore the new operating context for producing, presenting and touring in the UK and to facilitate contemporary, consistent and clear ways of working.
Today (Wednesday 5 June 2019) we publish the result of conversations had with Presenting and Producing contributors from across the theatre and performing arts sector: The Producing, Presenting and Touring Handbook.
The new resources in the handbook have been developed from suggestions made by colleagues from across the industry, so that venues and producers can build stronger relationships to improve the long-term health of touring in the UK. UK Theatre and SOLT now encourage the sector to adopt them.
We expect to update the content over time following feedback at the Theatre and Touring Symposium 2019 and based on everyone’s experience of using it.
We hope the materials offer something of value to everyone and provide a framework for relationships, as well as an ambitious blueprint for the development of producing, presenting and touring theatre and the performing arts in the UK.
UK Theatre and SOLT consider this the first stage of longer-term work to support the producing, presenting and touring model in the UK. Our industry will need further collaborative, industry-wide support to adapt to an ever-changing context and to continue to make work for engaged audiences across the UK.
