How exclusive is theatre?

A few weeks ago Kevin Spacey wrote in The Stage bemoaning the lack of young people attending theatre and that theatre “has become an exclusive club”. This comes after Spacey has just secured a sponsorship deal which allows his theatre – London’s Old Vic – to offer £12 tickets to people under 25 years. He carries on to suggest that if there is no one to replace the current generation of theatre goers then the theatre industry won’t survive.

Now, I for one think there are more nuances to this argument. I’ll be the first to agree that the majority of theatre audiences across the country are over 45 years old – but this doesn’t mean theatre is a dying art form - or worse doesn’t attract young people. When I started working in theatre many years ago the question always being asked was “How do we get young people to attend?” with a sense that theatre won’t survive without them. Fast forward and the question is still there.

There are several reasons for this, one being that theatre is low on some young people’s list of things to do in their spare time. Some might want to be on stage rather than watch it, others just want to socialise or take part in more active pursuits. Once they get a bit older they may become parents and time and money become an issue – as well as trying to find a babysitter. When the kids have flown the nest, that’s when people start to relax again and think about what they want to do with their new found spare time.

The truth is that a majority of people mature into becoming regular theatregoers but that doesn’t mean young people don’t watch theatre. The Coliseum is offers a lot for young people and we actively encourage them to get involved in the theatre whether that’s on stage, backstage or coming to watch a play. A Night Less Ordinary (the Arts Council free ticket initiative) was a great success here and it genuinely had a direct impact in young people seeing theatre in Oldham.

The work that we do with young people not only increases their confidence and skills for life but also engages their interest in theatre, some might go on to be the next Benedict Cumberbach, some might attend theatre more regularly but some might have an interest in theatre ignited that they’ll revisit later in life.

Theatre is universal – far from an “exclusive club”; the themes and emotions that run through each play can resonate with all ages. There is a myth that young people find theatre intimidating but nothing is further from the truth. Once young people are through the door they engage with the play and experience just like everyone else. 

Kevin Shaw
Artistic Director