Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee enquiry into theatre, 2005

In 2005, the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) made an enquiry into Theatre in the UK. The Committee invited evidence on the following areas:

• The current and future pattern of public subsidy for theatre.
• The Arts Council's strategies and its distribution of funding.
• Support for the maintenance and development of new writing, new performing talent and theatre buildings.
• The significance of theatre as a genre in cultural life in the UK and specifically in the regions.
• The significance of theatre within the UK economy.
• The effectiveness of public subsidy for theatre.
• The relationship between the subsidised and commercial sectors.

The NCA submitted written evidence, and was subsequently invited to bring a delegation to present oral evidence.

The CMS Select Committee Fifth Report (Theatre), was published in March 2005. It criticised real term funding cuts for the arts which would affect advances in theatre development and questioned the efficacy of Arts Council England's funding regime.

In July 2005, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon. Tessa Jowell MP, presented the Government's Response to the CMS Select Committee Report on Theatre. In the response, the Government defended its funding of the arts and its commitment to theatre. To read the NCA summary of the Government response, click here.

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