Archive · 11 Sep 2026
National Theatre outlines five ways to expand creative opportunity
Kate Varah explained how the National Theatre is trying to help young people and reach more audiences.
She said more people watched the theatre’s shows last year.
Some popular productions attracted many viewers under 35.
The theatre also lets young people write plays and learn job skills.
Nearly 250,000 young-person engagements took place through its learning work.
The theatre said its programmes can help people even if they do not become theatre workers.
Its performances are shown in schools, cinemas and online.
People in 184 countries can watch National Theatre productions through its services.
Varah said theatre can support creativity, communities and the wider economy.
Executive director Kate Varah said the National Theatre is using theatre to create social, cultural and economic change.
The theatre reported a 12% rise in live audiences after producing 19 plays and musicals staged worldwide.
Its youth programmes recorded nearly 250,000 engagements, while more than 700 young people wrote plays through New Views.
The National Theatre said its Skills Centre reached nearly 6,000 people through training, apprenticeships and placements.
Its productions and streaming services now reach audiences in 184 countries, including about one million people engaging with Inter Alia.
- Who
- Kate Varah, executive director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, speaking alongside artistic director and co-chief executive Indhu Rubasingham.
- What
- The National Theatre presented five ways it is expanding audiences, youth opportunities, cultural and economic value, national access and global reach.
- When
- Wednesday (9); the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The Cottesloe Room in the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre.
- Why
- The theatre said it wants to help young people, broaden access to creativity and strengthen the cultural and economic contribution of theatre.
- Live audience growth
- Overall live audiences for National Theatre shows increased by 12% over the past year.
- New productions
- Nineteen plays and musicals were staged across the globe over the past year.
- Youth learning engagements
- Nearly 250,000 engagements with young people were recorded through learning work.
- New Views
- More than 700 new plays were written by young people aged 14 to 19 through the programme.
- Skills Centre
- Nearly 6,000 people were reached through training opportunities, apprenticeships and placements.
- Economic contribution
- The National Theatre said its contribution to the UK economy is £241 million annually, with about £88 million flowing to the regions.
- Global access
- Audiences in 184 countries can access National Theatre work through streaming and cinema services.