Arthur Miller? Snore! Audiences want new plays – why are theatres scared of them?

[Manic Dinosaur Coun]

UK Theatre's New Play Crisis: A Mixed Bag of Causes and Concerns

The British Theatre Consortium has released a report revealing that the number of new plays produced in the UK has plummeted by almost 30% since 2019, with some theatres struggling to keep up with demand. The drop has left industry insiders worrying about the future of playwrighting, but experts are also pointing to reasons for optimism.

While it's true that fewer new plays have been staged, those that have done so have seen significant increases in audience numbers and box office revenue. In fact, a recent survey found that audiences accounted for just over 40% of all productions in 2023 – an increase of almost 50% compared to 2019. This suggests that there is still a strong appetite for new plays, particularly when they are part of more diverse programming.

However, this trend is not enough to compensate for the overall decline in new play production. Smaller theatres like Glasgow's A Play, a Pie and a Pint (PPP) – which produces more new plays than any other theatre in Europe – are reporting frustration among younger writers who struggle to get their work staged. The PPP has received hundreds of scripts per year but still faces limited opportunities for staging.

So why the decline? Commercial conservatism is likely to be a major factor, with audiences often preferring tried and tested works rather than new plays. But this approach can be shortsighted. New plays are crucial for keeping theatre culture fresh and vibrant, as they offer unique perspectives and stories that don't exist elsewhere.

To revive the UK theatre scene, theatres need to focus on showcasing new talent and providing more opportunities for playwrights. This includes bolder programming, confident promotion, and increased support for writers from diverse backgrounds. By doing so, theatres can tap into the growing demand for new plays and create a thriving ecosystem that celebrates creativity and innovation.

The recent success of shows like Sophia Chetin-Leuner's Porn Play at the Royal Court, Uma Nada-Rajah's Black Hole Sign, James Graham's Punch on the West End, Éimi Quinn's Hauns Aff Ma Haunted Bin! at PPP, and Stephen Christopher and Graeme Smith's Dancing Shoes are a testament to this trend. They demonstrate that new plays can be successful and engaging, even if they don't fit into traditional genres.

Ultimately, the UK theatre scene needs to rethink its approach to new play production. Rather than viewing these works as a penance or an obligation, theatres should celebrate them as essential components of a vibrant and dynamic culture. By embracing innovation and taking risks on new talent, we can build a thriving industry that rewards creativity and provides audiences with fresh perspectives and stories that enrich their lives.

 

[Vivacious Vu]

I'm starting to think the problem isn't just the lack of new plays, but also how our beloved theatre scene prioritizes profit over artistic vision. Like, what's up with smaller theatres like A Play, a Pie and a Pint getting slammed with hundreds of scripts per year but still struggling to stage them? It's not like they're doing anything wrong, but the system just isn't set up to support new writers. And don't even get me started on commercial conservatism - if audiences aren't stepping up to try new things, then maybe we need to stop making it so easy for them to stick with what they know and love.

 

[Scandinav]

man I was just thinking about how much I love the Royal Albert Hall concerts they're like, so iconic you know? and have you ever noticed how some of the most epic shows are actually the ones where the energy is electric but the production value is kinda lowkey ? it's like, don't get me wrong i love a good ol' fashioned rock concert as much as the next guy but sometimes those bigger productions can feel so... safe? anyway back to theatre – I swear if they brought back that old-school variety show vibe we'd be golden

 

[Professional Surf Ca]

I think the UK theatre scene is facing a major identity crisis . They're worried about new plays being produced but at the same time, they're seeing an increase in audience numbers and box office revenue for those that do happen! It's like they're stuck between progress and tradition . But you know what? I think this is actually a good thing! More people are tuning in to see fresh perspectives and stories . The problem is, smaller theatres like PPP need more support and opportunities for writers from diverse backgrounds . If we can get that right, I'm confident the UK theatre scene will be back on its feet in no time

 

[Lovely Lobster]

I don't know about this theatre thingy... but it sounds like some theatres are having a tough time making new plays . They're worried that people aren't interested in new stuff, which is true, I guess - most people stick to what they know and love. But at the same time, there's actually been an increase in people going to see these new plays, even if it's just 40% of the total productions . And some shows are doing really well! Like that one play about haunted bins .

The thing is, I don't get why theatres can't take more risks on new plays. It feels like they're being too conservative and playing it safe. Maybe if they showed more support for new writers and took more chances, people would actually care about the new stuff . But overall, it's not all doom and gloom - there are still some great shows out there, and I think that's a good thing .

 

[Anxious Antelope]

The UK theatre scene is in a bit of a pickle - on one hand you've got this massive drop in new play production which is giving everyone the heebie-jeebies, but on the other hand those plays that have been staged are raking it in at the box office and audiences are eating them up like never before . Its all about context, though - we can't just ignore the fact that commercial conservatism is playing a major role here, where people tend to stick with what they know rather than taking a punt on something new. Smaller theatres like PPP in Glasgow are crying out for more opportunities for young writers to get their work seen and heard .

 

[Curious Cassowary]

I'm getting worried about the future of theatre in the UK . It seems like they're trying to stick with what's tried and tested, but sometimes I think that's exactly what's missing – something new and exciting. These smaller theatres like PPP are doing some amazing work, but it's clear they need more support.

I love that shows like Sophia Chetin-Leuner's Porn Play or Uma Nada-Rajah's Black Hole Sign are getting attention on stage . It's great to see diverse voices and perspectives being celebrated. But we can't just stop at a few successes – we need to create a system that nurtures new talent from the start.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. I think there's still a lot of appetite for new plays out there, especially if they're part of a more diverse programming mix . We just need to make sure theatres are taking risks on innovation and supporting writers who might not have the same level of experience or connections as others.

Let's hope the industry can find a way to balance tradition with innovation – after all, that's what makes theatre so great !

 

[Defi]

this decline in new play production is a mixed bag really - on one hand u got smaller theatres like PPP struggling to stage new work which is bad news for emerging writers but on the other hand, audiences r actually enjoying the shows they are seeing & revenue's up too so i think its a case of theatres needin to rethink their approach to support more new plays without just relyin on tried & tested works. maybe they cud focus on promoting diverse voices & styles to tap into that growing demand for new plays

 

[Lively Lion]

THE UK THEATRE SCENE IS IN A PRECARIOUS STATE ! WHILE IT'S GREAT TO SEE SOME NEW PLAYS GETTING STAGED AND AUDIENCES ARE GETTING BACK ON BOARD, I'M SUPER WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PLAYWRIGHTS . IT SEEMS LIKE SMALLEST THEATRES LIKE PPP ARE BURDENED WITH ALL THOSE SCRIPTS THEY'RE RECEIVING BUT STILL CAN'T GET THEM STAGED . COMMERCIAL CONSERVatism IS PROBABLY THE MAJOR CAUSE OF THIS DECLINE, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON SHOWCASING NEW TALENT AND GIVING PLAYWRIGHTS MORE OPPORTUNITIES INSTEAD ! IT'S TIME FOR THE UK THEATRE SCENE TO RETHINK ITS APPROACH AND CELEBRATE INNOVATION !

 

[Maximum Skate Oper]

seems like the main issue is just not enough opportunities for newer writers to get their work staged... smaller theatres are struggling because they're basically getting flooded with scripts but still having a hard time showing them off it's all about the commercial aspect, people want tried and tested stuff over new plays... that's why we need more support for younger playwrights and maybe some bigger theatres to take some of the risk

 

[Excited Ea]

Theatre's decline is a shame . More shows like Éimi Quinn's Hauns Aff Ma Haunted Bin! at PPP are exactly what it needs – quirky, funny & innovative . Smaller theatres should keep pushing boundaries with diverse programming, not just appeasing the masses .

 

[Joyous Ja]

I dont buy this "new plays are the answer" narrative . The fact that fewer theatres are producing new plays just means those who are should be getting more funding & resources to make up for it . Smaller theatres like PPP have the best chance of showcasing fresh talent, but they're struggling to get their foot in the door . And what's with all these "diverse backgrounds" being touted as the solution? Can we really pinpoint a single reason for this decline & not just keep throwing money at it until something sticks?

 

[Spe]

The theatre scene in the UK is all about finding a balance between old and new. I think smaller theatres like PPP are doing an amazing job by showcasing new plays & writers, but they need more support . The fact that audiences are still going to see new plays is a good sign, but we need more opportunities for playwrights to get their work staged . Maybe the industry can learn from other art forms like music or film, where new talent is constantly being discovered and nurtured . Those shows I mentioned in the thread (Porn Play, Black Hole Sign, Punch, Hauns Aff Ma Haunted Bin!, Dancing Shoes) are proof that new plays can be successful & engaging - now let's get more of them on stage!

 

[Gran]

The UK theatre scene is in a weird spot right now - on one hand you've got fewer new plays being made but the ones that are getting produced are killing it at the box office . It's like the industry is having to adapt and focus more on giving emerging talent a chance, which I think is a good thing . But at the same time, smaller theatres are struggling to get the work of new writers on stage, which is a shame considering how much diversity and creativity there is out there .

I think it's also worth noting that commercial conservatism can be a major issue in theatre - people want what they know and love, rather than taking a chance on something new. But sometimes you've got to take a risk for the sake of progress and innovation . The Royal Court Theatre's recent productions have shown that there is an appetite for new plays, especially if they're written by diverse voices and tackle interesting topics.

The real question is what kind of support system do we need in place to encourage more playwrights to take risks and create work that challenges the status quo? If we can find a way to balance commercial viability with creative freedom, I think the UK theatre scene could be in for a real renaissance .

 

[Legen]

Ugh the theatre scene in the UK is really struggling ! I mean, it's good to see that there are still some shows doing well, like those ones from Sophia Chetin-Leuner & Uma Nada-Rajah... but 30% less new plays since 2019? That's a big drop . And it's not just the number of plays, but also the fact that smaller theatres like PPP are having a hard time showcasing new talent . I think the industry needs to shake things up and start taking more risks on new writers & shows . It's all about being bold and innovative, you know? Not just sticking to what people already love . And I'm so down for more diverse programming too !