FUTURE OF REGIONAL THEATRE

Early day motion 919, tabled 3 July 2000 by Lord Pendry (Labour). Signed by 99 members.

That this House recognises the importance of regional theatres in providing high quality productions to their local communities despite years of chronic underfunding; welcomes the review commissioned by the Arts Council of England into regional theatres, undertaken by Peter Boyden which gives a robust analysis of the crisis facing regional theatre; recognises that without extra investment many actors would not continue to be able to appear in regional theatres due to the low allowances paid for actors touring and living away from home; considers furthermore that without extra money theatres will not be able to produce high quality drama, audiences will fall and that ultimately many theatres could close; and urges the Treasury to provide the ú25 million extra per year that the Arts Council says it needs to bring stability and maintain excellence and audiences in our regional theatres.

Signatures by party: Labour 73, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour/Co-operative 7, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1, Unknown 1.