Theatre News

Arts Council gives green light to Regional Touring Network

The network involves nine regional venues and is overseen by English Touring Theatre

ETT's Rachel Tackley
ETT's Rachel Tackley

Arts Council England has awarded £826,786 to launch The Regional Touring Network.

Facilitated by English Touring Theatre, the network is a consortium of nine regional venues that will "produce and tour high quality drama on the mid-scale to audiences throughout England".

The hope is that by linking together, the venues can build audiences through a "comprehensive and effective audience development plan" and deliver a "legacy of sustainable touring".

The Regional Touring Network is a three-year project, with the first tour due to commence in autumn 2016.

The venues involved are Oldham Coliseum; Northcott Theatre, Exeter; Cast, Doncaster; Warwick Arts Centre; Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield; Harrogate Theatre; Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple and Lighthouse, Poole.

Director of English Touring Theatre Rachel Tackley said: "It is clear that there is an appetite for brilliant and ambitious mid-scale work in regional theatres which is currently not being filled. This is a great opportunity for English Touring Theatre to work with these nine venues and make a real impact on theatregoing opportunities for a broad range of audiences across the country."