A new collaborative initiative to strengthen the future of theatres in towns and smaller cities across the UK has launched today (Thursday), in the form of the Local Theatre Touring Alliance (LTTA).
The Alliance brings together theatres, producers and policymakers to respond to mounting pressures on local venues, including rising costs, ageing infrastructure, skills shortages, and a shrinking pool of high-quality touring productions.
Blackpool Grand Theatre’s chief executive Adam Knight explained: “Theatres like ours are vital parts of their communities, yet too often they are overlooked in national conversations.
“The Local Theatre Touring Alliance is about bringing people together to protect and strengthen local theatre for future generations. Listening to venue managers, who know these challenges first-hand, is a crucial starting point.”
Theatres in towns and smaller cities play a key role in supporting local communities, economies and enriching cultural life. The Alliance will work with existing networks and invites venues, producers, policymakers, funders and more to sign up as supporters. It is not a membership body, so there is no cost to join the Alliance.
The LTTA’s first phase will be a national survey of venue managers, which aims to build a data-driven picture of the sector’s needs and identify practical solutions that can be scaled and shared.
“Mid-scale venues are facing unprecedented challenges, but there is also huge potential if we work collaboratively,” said Katie Town, executive director of Theatre Royal Wakefield.
“The survey is a critical first step in gathering the honest insights we need to develop new touring models and advocacy strategies that genuinely work for our towns and smaller cities.”
Registered supporters already include Theatre Royal Winchester, Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, Belgrade Theatre in Coventry and Worcester Theatres. Touring companies include Shared Experience, Northern Ballet and Wild Park Entertainment, while sector support organisations include the Independent Theatre Council, Theatres Trust, Tixly, Stagely, Data Culture Change and more.