Editor’s Note: Although many Americans are still in disbelief about the “Leave” vote in the UK “Brexit” referendum (and shocked about how the uncertainty and plummeting pound sterling has affected the worldwide economy and made our investments and 401K retirement accounts take a huge hit), we support and respect the British people and the UK theatre industry as always. One positive thing about “Brexit” is that London is less expensive this summer and autumn because the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and British pound has never been better. Now more than ever is a great time to visit London and its vibrant theatre scene.

The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre issued the following press statement today about how the UK leaving the EU affects the theatre community in Great Britain and the future for organizations and artists inside and outside the UK that receive European funding.

SOCIETY OF LONDON THEATRE AND UK THEATRE STATEMENT ON EU REFERENDUM

LONDON–Following the referendum decision on the UK’s membership of the EU, the Society of London Theatre (“SOLT”) and UK Theatre Association (“UK Theatre”) express concern as to the future for the theatre sector – a sector in which the UK leads the world both in creativity and in business.

Theatre and the performing arts play a valuable, unifying role in society and we look forward to supporting our members, and the wider theatre community, to make this contribution over the coming years.

SOLT and UK Theatre have been a major part of the Performing Arts League of Europe (PEARLE) in Brussels since 1990, playing a significant role in lobbying and negotiating on EU legislation and its implications for the performing arts sector.  Over the coming months, we will continue our work with these colleagues on many areas not least:

  • Movement of artists, and creative staff, between countries
  • Employment law for the future – and as it changes, how new UK law needs to accommodate our sector
  • Other European regulations and their effect on our sector
  • The future for organizations and artists working in and out of the UK that currently receive European funding.

In the UK, we urge politicians from all parties to consider the impact on this creative industry in which we lead as regulations and laws are amended – we remain ready to support this process.  The recent introduction of the UK Theatre Production Tax Relief has increased activity throughout the UK, and we look forward to working with government at all levels to enable the theatre sector to thrive.

Background Information on Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre

  • Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is the not-for-profit organization which provides a collective voice for the theatre owners, producers and managers of all the major commercial and grant-aided theatres across London. As well as protecting the interests of all its member theatres, SOLT promotes theatregoing through activities including the Olivier Awards with MasterCard, the TKTS ticket booth, the Official London Theatre website and its printed fortnightly listings guide, Theatre Tokens and the popular annual celebration West End LIVE in association with MasterCard. It also administers the audience development initiatives Kids Week and Get Into London Theatre, and supports a number of theatrical charities including Stage One and Mousetrap Theatre Projects.
  • Established in 1894, UK Theatre is the UK’s leading membership organization for theatre and the performing arts. UK Theatre supports theatre and performing arts organizations and individuals who work professionally in the performing arts at any stage of their career. Members benefit from access to a range of professional services, high quality training and events, and networking opportunities. In addition to running the UK Theatre Awards, UK Theatre leads audience development programmes and actively campaigns on behalf of theatres and their audiences.