We are thrilled that Jane Claire has received an OBE for services to Drama! The award follows her 2017 UK Theatre Award for Theatre Employee of the Year.

Jane has spent over forty years working in the theatre. After a long and varied career in stage management working in regional, fringe and West End theatres she moved into producing. Following nine years with the highly regarded touring company Shared Experience, where she was responsible for numerous national and international tours, she became Executive Producer of English Touring Theatre. Jane was Executive Producer at ETT for twelve years, producing more than 45 productions touring throughout the UK. She continues her work at ET T as Producer of the ETT Forge scheme. She is the Chair of Flute Theatre and also sits on the boards of Derby Theatre and Joe Public.

Jane said ‘I am thrilled to receive such an unexpected and prestigious award from the Queen. Having worked ‘behind the scenes’ for so many years the recognition is very special and I share it with all the many talented people I’ve had the huge pleasure to work with over the last 45 years.’

ETT Artistic Director Richard Twyman said ‘I am delighted that Jane’s commitment to theatre and touring has been recognised in this way. Jane’s work for ETT has been absolutely invaluable and she continues to be a tremendous source of wisdom for us and so many others!’

We are delighted to announce that Olivia Highland has joined ETT’s Board of trustees.

Olivia joined The Old Vic in 2011, working up from intern to Head of Corporate Development within four and a half years. The Old Vic is one of the only theatres in London of such size, scale and international reputation not to receive any regular government subsidy. Highland leads the corporate fundraising team and is responsible for establishing the corporate fundraising strategy; stewarding partner relationships with businesses and brands across multiple sectors, including the theatre’s two longest, highest value, and award winning sponsorships; and securing new business to substantially contribute to the organisation’s overall £3.6 million annual fundraising target. As a Trustee of ETT, Highland combines her passion for theatre, her fundraising expertise and h er interest in organisational management and business development.

ETT today announces the appointment of three new trustees joining its Board – actor Paapa Essiedu, producer Tara Wilkinson and Greg Williams, editor of technology magazine Wired.

Paapa Essiedu’s recent stage work includes two RSC productions – the title role in Hamlet (UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Play) and Edmund in King Lear. Other recent credits include You For Me For You (directed by ETT Artistic Director Richard Twyman for the Royal Court), Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory Theatres) and King Lear (National Theatre).

Tara Wilkinson is Executive Producer at Underbelly. She previously worked as General Manager at the Old Vic and as Producer for both Paines Plough and Bush Theatre.

Greg Williams is Editor of technology magazine Wired. He has previously held editor roles with Details Magazine, Dennis Publishing, Wallpaper, Arena and Esquire. He has also written five novels.

Chair of the Board Robert Delamere said today,

“I’m delighted to welcome Paapa Essiedu, Tara Wilkinson and Greg Williams to the board of trustees of English Touring Theatre. It’s a privilege to work alongside such exceptional creative talent from across the arts and media industries. They bring a wealth of knowledge, perspective and expertise to the board at an exciting time for the company as we develop under Richard Twyman’s leadership.”

Richard Twyman added,

“Our new trustees are all trailblazers in their field: exceptional creative individuals whose energy and expertise will greatly enrich ETT. Paapa is one of the most talented actors of his generation, an inspirational figure who brings with him a profound understanding of contemporary theatre practice which will be essential in shaping the future of ETT. Tara is a singular and dynamic producer with extensive experience of working at the highest levels of subsidised and commercial theatre, in collaboration with some of the UK’s most successful and innovative theatres. Greg is one of the UK’s leading thinkers, helping to shape the landscape of technology, business and design as editor of WIRED. His wealth of knowledge about the current digital landscape will play a significant role in helping ETT become a touring company for the digital age.”

In a joint statement, Essiedu, Wilkinson and Williams said,

“We are delighted to join ETT’s Board of Trustees at such a significant time in the company’s evolution. Though already established as a leader in touring theatre, with Richard Twyman at the helm, the company will continue to build on those foundations and embark on a new period of development. In this phase we want to ensure that audiences across the country can engage with the most exciting, pertinent and imperative plays, old and new – work that reflects the UK as it is now and in the future, in the shifting social and political climate of our times. With our diverse personal and professional experiences of the UK we are much looking forward to being part of the conversation at ETT and helping to shape its future with Richard, ETT staff and the rest of Board.”

23 October 2015

We are thrilled to announce that Twelfth Night won Best Touring Production 2015 at the UK Theatre Awards.

This marks ETT’s third win and second in a row following 2012’s award for Anne Boleyn and 2014’s award for Translations.

A huge thank you to our wonderful cast, production team and co-producers at Sheffield Theatres!

8 October 2015

We are delighted to announce that the acclaimed British actor Stephen Mangan is now a patron of English Touring Theatre.

Stephen Mangan stated, “touring theatre is an essential part of our industry and I’m honoured to be joining English Touring Theatre as a Patron. For over 20 years the company has been at the forefront of top quality touring drama. I look forward to supporting their exciting future projects.”

Director of English Touring Theatre, Rachel Tackley, commented, “I am absolutely delighted that Stephen will be joining Sir Ian McKellen as a Patron of English Touring Theatre.  His wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry make him a perfect partner for us as we continue to expand and diversify the company’s work.

In his role, Mangan will act as an advisor to the company across development of new work and programming, as well as being a company spokesperson. His support and guidance, alongside that of Ian McKellen’s, who has been a Patron since 1993, will help to ensure the company remains at the forefront of theatre across the UK.

We look forward to having him on board!

13 July 2015

Arts Council England has made a one off award of £826,786 to enable to launch of The Regional Touring Network. Facilitated by English Touring Theatre, The Regional Touring Network, a consortium of 9 regional venues and English Touring Theatre, will produce and tour high quality drama on the mid-scale to audiences throughout England, and by growing audiences through a comprehensive and effective audience development plan will deliver a legacy of sustainable touring.

Director of English Touring Theatre Rachel Tackley said today, “It is clear that there is an appetite for brilliant and ambitious mid-scale work in regional theatres which is currently not being filled. This is a great opportunity for English Touring Theatre to work with these 9 venues and make a real impact on theatregoing opportunities for a broad range of audiences across the country.”

The venues involved are Oldham Coliseum; Northcott Theatre, Exeter; Cast, Doncaster; Warwick Arts Centre; Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield; Harrogate Theatre; Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple and Lighthouse, Poole.

“The timing could not be better as part of our strategy to present a broader co-ordinated drama programme that includes work of all scales,” commented Alan Dodd from North Devon Theatres.

The Regional Touring Network is a three year project to tour top quality classic and contemporary work to audiences across the UK, growing and sustaining demand, and piloting new ways for touring companies and venues to work better together.  The first tour will commence in autumn 2016.

“Our drama programme is the absolute bedrock of our theatre programme and we are committed to ensuring that the productions and companies we present represent high quality, relevant work that audiences engage with and are inspired by,” said Elspeth McBain, Lighthouse Poole.