Theatre Touring ‘In Crisis’ as Drama Performances Drop 70%

A comprehensive report has declared the touring scene for theatre, music, dance, and opera in England as being in a critical state, urging immediate measures to prevent its collapse. The findings reveal a dramatic fall in the number of touring plays, with a near-70% reduction observed between 2019 and 2024, according to the State of Touring report commissioned by Arts Council England.

The report emphasizes that the decline in drama performances is part of a sustained trend, potentially reaching a tipping point without intervention. While the system remains functional, it has become more localized, with tours favoring larger cities and shorter durations. The report states: “Touring thrives at a large scale, particularly for major music acts or musical theatre, in bigger venues and urban areas.”

Overall, the total number of touring shows has fallen by 24% since 2019. For drama, the drop was steeper at 72%, while musicals and dance each saw a 50% reduction. The report highlights that mid-sized drama and dance, along with smaller productions by disabled artists and those from Global Majority communities, face the most severe financial strain. These groups are also the most vulnerable to further decline.

Industry professionals have reported increased expenses and shrinking revenue, with the pandemic and funding cuts intensifying these issues. The report warns: “Without a fundamental shift, a significant portion of touring will likely disappear.” It advocates for a new strategic approach, urging greater collaboration and innovation among touring bodies.

Arts Council England’s Hannah Lake stressed the importance of touring to the cultural landscape and audience engagement. “The current financial hurdles are immense,” she said. “We have a unique chance to revamp how we fund and support touring, making our resources more effective.”

The council plans to introduce a new Touring Service aimed at simplifying the funding process, enabling better investment in touring initiatives. This service is expected to boost confidence among organizations, allowing them to continue showcasing high-quality work nationally and globally.

Industry Response and Collaboration

The Local Theatre Touring Alliance praised the report, calling it a “timely assessment” of challenges in touring across various genres, especially in smaller venues. “The data aligns with what many in the field have noticed: difficulty in securing deals, maintaining audience interest, and handling rising costs within current frameworks,” the alliance noted in its statement.

“Producing new work independently has become increasingly difficult,” said Theatre Royal Plymouth, one of the organizations cited in the report. “Without small-scale opportunities, emerging artists struggle to build the necessary skills and confidence to reach larger stages.”