All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Theatre

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Theatre  was  founded in July 2019 to support the resilience and relevance of theatre in the UK for audiences, its workforce and society.  It was re-established in 2025 for the new parliament.

The APPG’s Statement of Purpose is to:

• Support the resilience and relevance of theatre in the UK for audiences, society and the industry.
• Identify and debate potential opportunities and issues for theatre in the UK.
• Support parliamentarians’ understanding of the theatre and performing arts industry at a national and local level.

Theatre is a vital part of the UK’s creative industries, one of the fastest growing parts of the UK economy, generating £108 billion in economic value in 2021 alone. Research by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre suggests that the UK theatre sector generates £2.39 billion in GVA, supports nearly 205,000 workers and generates a total turnover of £4.44 billion.

The cross-party group is co-chaired by Leigh Ingham MP and Dan Aldridge MP in the Commons and by Baroness Keeley in the Lords. SOLT & UK Theatre are the secretariat of the APPG for Theatre, providing staff time and administrative and strategic support.

If you are a SOLT or UK Theatre member and would like to write to your MP to introduce them to the APPG and see if they are interested in becoming involved, please contact PublicAffairs@soltukt.co.uk for further advice and support.

This is not an official website of Parliament. It has not been approved by either House. APPGs are informal groups of Parliamentarians with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed are those of the group.

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