The Death of Theatre

Unfortunatley, I think that theatre in the provinces of England is dying a slow, painful death.

This is due not to the quality of work being produced but the audiences not willing to part with their money to see theatre unless it has a famous face in it or somebody from one of these tv talent shows. Because of this, theatres are becoming stretched and struggling to fund themselves.

Take for example, one of the shining lights of regional theatre, the West Yorkshire Playhouse (http://www.qype.co.uk/place/196720-West-Yorkshire-Playhouse-Leeds). The current season has been challenging and exciting and of great quality, yet where were the audiences? I went to see a cracking production of Privates on Parade, yet the auditorium was half empty. So what is the solution? I'll tell you, I've figured it out.

The next reality tv show that the BBC, our national broadcasting agency, funds, should be finding a new talent for our repertory theatres, and taking a show from theatre to theatre with this familiar face and familiar project, thus filling our theatres with the new audiences. Not just lining the pockets of Lloyd Weber and Cameron Mackintosh!!