The Glory of the Garden: Regional Theatre and the Arts Council 1984-2009

The Glory of the Garden examines concepts and contexts of ‘regional’ theatre in an age of globalisation and cosmopolitanism. It outlines the key debates and trends in the development of regional theatre since 1984 when public subsidy became a part of a package of ‘plural funding’ and examines regional theatre’s role in the theatrical ecology. Variously perceived as a training ground for practitioners or a career dead-end; purveyor of stale product or innovative powerhouse; a transformer of urban environments and community hub, regional theatre has been a constant source of anxiety and pride for the Arts Council, the theatre community and arts journalists. The Glory of the Garden moves thedebate about the role and importance of regional theatre beyond the cliche of crisis to examine the politics and policy of making performance outside London.This study combines contextual essays with practitioners’ accounts and case studies including: Birmingham Rep; Bristol Old Vic; Liverpool Everyman; Liverpool Playhouse; Lyric Hammersmith; New Victoria Theatre Stoke; Nottingham Playhouse; Salisbury Playhouse and key touringcompanies: Cheek by Jowl; Complicite; and Kneehigh Theatre.