Investing in our theatres is not a handout
Our Yorkshire Editor Paul Clarke welcomes the theatre world asking for short term government support, not handouts.
The news that Leicester Haymarket is the latest venue forced into liquidation, and a stark warning from legendary producer Sonia Friedman writing in the Telegraph that British theatre is on the ‘brink of total collapse’ has forced the industry to unite in calling for short term government support.
Thankfully the narrative from the theatres is they’re not asking for a bailout, and instead calling for significant investment in a key part of our nation’s cultural offer that normally generates billions in tax revenues.
Friedman points out that more than 1000 of our theatres of varying sizes may permanently close their doors as it may be this time next year before they ca...