The newly announced funding will underpin a major, four-year programme to pilot new models of touring to make high-quality Shakespeare productions accessible to communities, with a specific focus on areas of structural disadvantage across England. This includes a new prototype for embedded partnership work, based on a week-long residency model in which schools act as regional touring hubs, working with RSC and regional artists to deliver an integrated programme of live performances, in-school workshops, post-show Q & As and talent-development opportunities. 

This four-year commitment responds directly to research published by the Arts Council England this month, showing that the number of plays touring across England has fallen 64% since 2019. As the RSC’s Executive Director Andrew Leveson observed in this year’s Future of Theatre Conference keynote speech; “Jennie Lee’s founding proposition – that everyone should have access to arts and culture where they live, not as privilege but as public good – remains unmet. As touring costs rise, fewer productions travel, runs are shorter...The communities losing out are overwhelmingly those already under served.” The RSC’s network of partners was established to address these systemic challenges. 

The programme  consists of two large-scale Shakespeare tours in 2028 and 2030, programmed in collaboration with the RSC’s 8 large-scale Associate Regional Theatres: Blackpool Grand Theatre, Norwich Theatre , Newcastle Theatre Royal, Bradford Theatres, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Hall for Cornwall and York Theatre Royal, with an anticipated audience reach of 56,0000+, alongside four annual, twelve-week First Encounters with Shakespeare tours to schools, theatres and communities with an anticipated audience and participant reach of c50,000. 

RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey and Executive Director Andrew Leveson said: “Our 2026-30 touring programme builds on 20 years of working in long-term partnership with over 280 schools and 16 regional theatre partners across the country to address systemic barriers to cultural access & participation across England. 

This newly announced funding will enable the RSC to increase the reach and impact of its touring work, developed through long-term, targeted partnerships between artists, regional theatres, communities and young people, which support audience development in the long-term, and create opportunities for children and young people to unlock their potential, thrive and belong.”   

Hannah Lake, Director, Touring Transformation at Arts Council England said: "This programme continues the RSC’s vital work in finding new ways to share the magic of one of this country’s most iconic playwrights with people of all ages, up and down the country. It comes at a time when our research shows a decline in drama touring in recent years and we hope this significant investment will ensure a regular supply of large-scale and high-quality work with a national footprint.”

Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive & Creative Director at Norwich Theatre, said: “It is always a highlight for audiences when an RSC tour comes to the region. Whether we are introducing young people to the magic of Shakespeare for the first time or welcoming long-time fans, we are united in the belief that creativity should be experienced by all and that high-quality performances should be available in the heart of the community.”

Marianne Locatori, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal said: “Our relationship with the RSC has created unforgettable shared experiences for generations of theatregoers, and this new commitment ensures even more people will enjoy exceptional theatre close to home in their schools, in their community and at the Theatre. Together, we believe in the power of live performance to inspire, connect communities and open up opportunities for young people, and we’re pleased to play a central role in this national initiative that places creativity, learning and inclusion at its heart.

Adam Knight, Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre said: “Blackpool Grand Theatre warmly welcomes Arts Council England’s investment in Royal Shakespeare Company touring. The RSC plays a vital role in bringing world-class performances to communities across England, ensuring more people can experience extraordinary theatre close to home. We deeply value and cherish The Grand’s long-standing and multi-layered relationship with the RSC and are immensely proud to be opening the 2028 tour. This investment is a powerful recognition of the RSC’s long-term commitment to touring and aligns beautifully with Blackpool’s belief that “extraordinary is for everyone”, and that access to outstanding culture should never be limited by geography.” 

Adam Renton, General Manager of Bradford Theatres, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s touring programme and to see this vital funding confirmed for the years ahead, continuing the Alhambra Theatre's long-standing status as a key partner venue. This investment will enable us to continue bringing world‑class Shakespeare performances to Bradford audiences, many of whom might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience work of this scale and quality.”

Deborah Shaw, Chief Executive at the Marlowe Theatre said, “Our relationship with the RSC as their Associate Theatre in the Southeast continues into its second decade, going from strength to strength. We're thrilled to be part of this new nationwide initiative to bring productions directly from Stratford to our main stage and to tour specially created productions out into schools across the region. We know from the Associate Schools project - which is an annual highlight - how empowering it is for young people to 'own' Shakespeare and his language in performance. This 4-year programme partnership will help develop audiences and provide first-time Shakespeare theatregoers with unforgettable experiences from one of our finest national companies.”