Over 100,000 young people to be given access to live theatre and training through nationwide initiative led by National Theatre

The National Theatre is to work with 12 regional theatre partners on a four-year programme aiming to give more than 100,000 young people across England access to live theatre, training and opportunities to explore careers in the creative industries.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced up to £15 million in funding for the programme, called National Theatre Nationwide, at an event at the National Theatre attended by actors including Jim Carter, Adjoa Andoh, Adrian Lester, Imelda Staunton, Bella Maclean and Ian McKellen.

The funding comes from the Government’s Every Child Can programme and will support the National Theatre in working with the National Lottery Community Fund and theatres across every English region.

The programme will combine National Theatre touring productions with workshops, schools tours and skills development activities. Young people will be able to explore acting, directing, playwriting and backstage roles, with training designed to introduce them to potential careers in the creative industries.

Thousands of subsidised £10 tickets will be made available to young people, while productions aimed specifically at school audiences will visit 400 schools across the country.

The programme will also include a music theatre initiative, through which young people will create and perform original productions in their local communities. A Skills Roadshow will take opportunities directly to areas without theatres, while a new Nationwide Youth Council will give young people a role in shaping the programme.

Nandy said: “I am tired of being told that not everybody can or should have access to the best of what this country has to offer. Arts and culture gives the chance to live a richer, larger life and that chance should be afforded to every young person.

“Experiencing the joy of theatre shouldn’t be restricted to only those who can afford it or who were born in the right postcode. This programme takes the very best of the National Theatre and brings it to the doorsteps of our young people across the country, many for the first time ever, to help them find their spark, expand their horizons and encourage them to see a creative future for themselves.”

McKellen added: “It is appropriate that a National Theatre should live up to its name by taking their work round the country. For young audiences living far away from the NT’s London headquarters, here is a chance to see them close to home and get involved. If this means that theatre-going becomes a habit rather than an occasional adventure, hurrah!

“Live theatre has been available in this country ever since the birth of modern drama. It is increasingly costly, so it’s encouraging to all of us who care about the future of live theatre, that central government is playing its part, supporting theatre people and our audiences.”

National Theatre executive director and co-chief executive Kate Varah said the programme would give young people opportunities to see productions, make their own work and discover careers behind the scenes.

The Government has also announced a further £106 million from the Dormant Assets Scheme for the Every Child Can programme, taking its total funding to £238.5 million. A further £173 million will be made available to organisations across England in 2027 to support activities for young people beyond the school gates, including arts, culture, sport and nature.

The wider programme forms part of the Government’s plans to improve opportunities for young people, alongside its £450 million Youth Matters Fund. This will support improvements to youth facilities and provide activities including sport, music and volunteering in areas identified as needing investment.

The Government has also committed funding for the recruitment and development of 1,000 youth workers and trusted adults.