Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Helen Jones (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 24 April 2006 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

National Theatres (Regional Tours)

Question: I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. A few months back, I was lucky enough to see the RSC's touring production of ““The Canterbury Tales””, which was excellent and packed to the doors, but what can he do to ensure that the two theatres take on more touring commitments than they currently undertake, so that people in constituencies such as mine, who pay towards the theatres' subsidies, get the opportunity to see them, and so that they become truly national theatres, not London or Stratford theatres?

Answer: My hon. Friend is right to raise that issue, and I know that she also raised it with one of my predecessors, who has gone to another place. The National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company have increased their national touring in the past year—the National Theatre spent 21 weeks touring the regions, and the Royal Shakespeare Company has 150 touring dates in its calendar. Furthermore, the Royal Shakespeare Company will do more regional touring next year because of the changes at Stratford. I know that both of those companies have performed in my hon. Friend's area in Chester, Salford, Manchester and Liverpool, but the people of Warrington should be able to experience the best of our national talent, so I am sure that her comments will be made available to the chairman of the Arts Council.

Secondary information