Attendance up and creativity thriving in regional theatre, says new report
40 per cent more people are visiting the theatre now than five years ago according to new research from some of England’s biggest regional theatres.
Seven of England’s biggest regional producing theatres have announced an outstanding increase in audience numbers, with 800,000 more people attending, 85 per cent more new work being produced and 60 per cent more young people taking part in educational activities.
The survey of the seven regional theatres: the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Royal Exchange, Nottingham Playhouse, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Sheffield Crucible and West Yorkshire Playhouse, compared figures over the last five years from 2000, before a £25million increase in Government funding for theatre, and 2005, following the investment. The results show that the increased funding for regional theatre has been more than matched by an impressive rise in productivity, inclusivity and originality.
Key findings from the survey include:
- Over 36,000 young people were involved in education programmes run by theatres in 2005. This was an increase of almost 60 per cent.
- Nearly 3 million people attended performances in 2005-06 – an overall increase of almost 40 per cent
- 85 per cent more new plays were produced in English theatres
- Nearly 6,000 performances were given at home and on tour
"The additional funding British regional theatre has received over the last few years has had a tremendous impact on creativity, output and attendance," says Stuart Rogers, Executive Director of the Birmingham Rep. "It represents clear value for money for the British tax payer, and it is something which Britain can and should be proud of."
Sir Alan Ayckbourn, playwright and theatre director, says: "I’ve spent most of my career working in regional theatre and I believe it to be one of the most creatively diverse mediums for performance. Regional theatres are vital to their local community. In addition to the staging of shows, they make available to people of all ages and backgrounds an increasing number of activities enabling them to experience things that they otherwise never would. In short, they open doors."
Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre says, "Britain has a world class reputation for producing outstanding theatre, and the regions provide its vital bedrock. Thanks to the skill and dedication of those who work in it, and the increase in public funding, regional theatre has gone from strength to strength. Ambitious programming has delivered a huge increase in the number of people experiencing the fulfilment that the theatre can offer."
Download the results:
theatre_survey_results.pdf
– Ends –
10 January 2007
For further information contact:
Daniela Karthaus
daniela.karthaus@catalysis.co.uk
020 7101 7324
Suzy Insley
suzy.insley@catalysis.co.uk
020 7101 7311
Notes to Editor:
- Seven big regional producing theatres included in the research: Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Royal Exchange, Nottingham Playhouse, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Sheffield Crucible and West Yorkshire Playhouse.
- Each of the seven big regional producing theatres receives funding from the Arts Council England. See www.artscouncil.org.uk for further information.
