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Will The Theatre Industry Be Taking Its Final Bow?

Scarlett Mullender
Three silhouettes standing in front of a red stage curtain.

Scarlett Mullender

As someone who has grown up surrounded by stage curtains and scintillating spotlights, I am sadly all too familiar with the theatre industry’s battle against financial cuts. With cutbacks continuing, it’s time to reiterate the value of the theatre industry so that we can protect the future of one of our cultural crown jewels.

The Importance Of Theatre

From Parliament announcing a 50 per cent cutback on performance-based subjects in 2021, to a £6.6 million slash to Scotland’s arts budget just months ago, there’s no doubt officials hold little regard for the theatre sector.

“Most times, people forget just how much they consume elements of theatre in their everyday lives”

As much as theatre companies are soldiering through, it’s disheartening to see just how many centres – including my childhood staple, the Oldham Coliseum – are being forced to close their doors. It’s also sad to see how theatre careers are often scruntised. After all, why would someone choose a vocation with ‘no stability’ or ‘sufficient income’?

Most times, however, people forget just how much they consume elements of theatre in their everyday lives. Without dedicated actors, we would be without the much-adored Christmas pantomimes that have become an emblem of British culture. And without directors, set designers, stage hands and a plethora of other jobs, we would be saying goodbye to an industry which brings in £2.7 billion annually to the UK economy. 

The Theatre Industry & COVID-19

Its estimated ticket sales at UK theatres fell by 93 per cent during the first year of the pandemic. This was, of course, an unprecedented loss for the community.

On a personal level, the pandemic impacted my Drama A-Level and Trinity Musical Theatre exam. I was so anxious over how I could continue either merit. It felt dystopian, having to substitute face to face rehearsals and studio time for Teams calls. But it was when a production of Bugsy Malone that I was set to star in was forcibly halted, that I knew for certain the industry I was so passionate about was in dire trouble. 

Every couple of months, I see another picturesque theatre full of historical beauty closing – such as Solihull’s beloved Core Theatre – due to irreparable monetary loss from the pandemic. Because of the catastrophic blown to the UK economy, authoritative bodies are continuing to withdraw funding from stages across the country. This funding is often a lifeline to theatres, and those operating within them, keeping them in action. 

Only three months ago, Wales was faced with the devastating news that its National Theatre could be closing due to funding being withdrawn by the Arts Council. As situations like this become more frequent, I cannot help but mourn each one as a substantial blow to an industry that has already had to overcome many hurdles.

What Now For The Future Of Theatre?

The narrative that theatre may never fully recover from the depletion of budgets and mass lockdowns sent its way is one that I entirely disagree with. Though there was a point two years ago where I feared for the future of my lifelong love, my faith in the industry’s resillience has since been restored.

“Economically-friendly strategies must be implemented if theatres want to regain the traction of working class audience members”

For example, a pilot scheme from the National Theatre is set to run from February 2024. Under this scheme, some shows will commence at 6:30pm – a much earlier time than is industry standard. This will cater towards those who may start work earlier the next day and to ensure audience members can use public travel methods when venturing home, thus decreasing the cost of the outing. 

With the cost-of-living crisis draining the money pools of so many families, more theatres must implement economically-friendly strategies if they want to regain the traction of working class audience members.

I am hopeful schemes like the National Theatre’s will increase the country’s theatre budget, meaning the spotlights stay on for centuries to come. They will hopefully, too, mark a paradigm shift in the field of performing arts regarding affordability and accessibility.

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Featured image courtesy of Kyle Head via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Journalist and Radio Presenter from Rochdale, England.

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