Newcastle Theatre Royal partners on nationwide Shakespeare push
National programme backed by Arts Council funding will reach more than 100,000 people
Newcastle Theatre Royal is set to play a key role in a major new national Shakespeare touring programme backed by a £2 million Arts Council England investment aimed at bringing theatre to more than 100,000 people across England.
The venue is one of 16 regional theatre partners working with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) on the four-year scheme, which has been created to tackle growing barriers to cultural access.
Newcastle Theatre Royal is also one of eight theatres helping shape two large-scale Shakespeare tours planned for 2028 and 2030.
The programme will bring Shakespeare performances, workshops and talent development opportunities into schools, theatres and communities, particularly in areas identified as facing structural disadvantage.
Alongside the two large-scale tours, the funding will support four annual “First Encounters with Shakespeare” productions aimed at schools and local communities, with an anticipated combined audience and participation reach of more than 100,000 people nationwide.
The investment comes at a time when touring theatre is under increasing pressure, with Arts Council England research showing the number of plays touring across England has fallen by 64% since 2019.
The RSC announcement also follows Newcastle Theatre Royal’s recently unveiled partnership with the National Theatre, which will see the city become one of a small number of regional hubs for major touring productions and creative projects, beginning with The Rise and Fall of Little Voice starring Jill Halfpenny.
Together, the two initiatives underline a growing push by national organisations to reverse the decline in touring theatre while ensuring more audiences can experience large-scale productions closer to home.
Marianne Locatori, chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said: “Our relationship with the RSC has created unforgettable shared experiences for generations of theatregoers, and this new commitment ensures even more people will enjoy exceptional theatre close to home in their schools, in their community and at the Theatre.
“Together, we believe in the power of live performance to inspire, connect communities and open up opportunities for young people, and we’re pleased to play a central role in this national initiative that places creativity, learning and inclusion at its heart.”