Theatre Royal Wakefield is proud to be connected to a new national initiative that aims to strengthen theatre touring and help local audiences continue to enjoy a wide range of high-quality live performance.

The Local Theatre Touring Alliance (LTTA) was established following a series of sector-wide conversations in 2024 and 2025, which brought together venue leaders, producers and sector bodies to explore the pressures facing touring theatre. After the initial engagement, they conducted targeted research and developed a shared business plan with input from across the sector. In December 2025, the LTTA was formally constituted as a not-for-profit company, creating a clear structure to support long-term collaboration and delivery.

We're pleased to share that the LTTA has received £60,000 from Arts Council England to support their mission to bring theatres and producers together and to explore fairer, more sustainable ways of touring work around the country. Though Theatre Royal Wakefield is not a direct recipient of the funding, the work it enables the LTTA to do will benefit theatres like ours.

For Wakefield audiences, touring productions are a vital part of what we present on stage, from acclaimed drama and bold new writing to family shows and musicals. LTTA’s work focuses on protecting and strengthening touring so that venues in towns and smaller cities can continue to programme ambitious, varied and exciting work.

Our Executive Director, Katie Town, co‑founder and Board Member of LTTA, is helping to shape the Alliance’s priorities and ensure the voices of regional venues are part of the national conversation.

Katie said:' We know there is huge appetite across the sector to work more collaboratively. LTTA creates a space to do that in a structured and purposeful way, grounded in real data and shared experience. This support allows us to move from conversation to meaningful action.'

Over the coming year, LTTA will run workshops, pilot projects and national events, all focused on finding practical ways to support touring into places like Wakefield.

We’re excited to see what LTTA will bring and how its work will help strengthen Theatre Royal Wakefield’s creative programme for years to come.

To keep up to date with the fantastic work the LTTA are doing, visit: www.localtheatretouringalliance.com