Regional Theatre

Oct 31, 2014

As more of the top “London” shows take their musicals and plays around the country, regional theatre seems to be on the up.

Of course, the recently introduced tax relief scheme should help even more. Touring shows can now apply for a 25% relief, and non-touring shows 20% tax credit on qualifying production costs. This scheme will apply to plays, musicals, opera, ballet, dance and circus shows and it should benefit a large number of production companies.

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre has reported record audience numbers in 2013/14, up 25% – which is a big increase.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe issued a record number of tickets this year also, with more than 2 million tickets, representing a very significant 24% increase.

The festival of course covers a number of different venues, and there was a new†record number of 300 venues this year. The 2 million tickets does not include all the free productions and other performances outside of the office event programme.

The Assembly Rooms, Strand and Underbelly all reported an increase on ticket sales from last year, although New Town and Hill Street theatres saw a large reduction.

It is reported by The Stage, that regional theatres are hosting more stand-up comedy than previously, with an increase in the number of events regionally across the UK up 46% in the last 5 years.

Last month, backstage and front of house members of the media and entertainment union, BECTU, secured a 2% increase in their earnings for 2014/15 following a vote in which nearly 60% of those who took part in the ballot accepted this offer. There are, however, ongoing discussions with the members of UK Theatre which represents regional venue managers. More information can be found in this article by The Stage.

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