Lyn Gardner
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social
Journalist thinking out loud about theatre. Often at The Stage and Stagedoor. Author of novels for children. Contact@lyngardner.com
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
Lynda Rooke, president of Equity, has said that actors in subsidised theatres are now only getting half the hours they did back in 2004, a figure she called "a great concern."
www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/ac...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/ac...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
November 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Lynda Rooke, president of Equity, has said that actors in subsidised theatres are now only getting half the hours they did back in 2004, a figure she called "a great concern."
www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/ac...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/ac...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
really good piece. Most careers start in smaller spaces.
What's going on with studio theatres?
Since the pandemic, smaller secondary spaces have quietly declined – with dire consequences for emerging artists. Could some new openings and different approaches help buck the trend, asks @hollywilliams.bsky.social
Since the pandemic, smaller secondary spaces have quietly declined – with dire consequences for emerging artists. Could some new openings and different approaches help buck the trend, asks @hollywilliams.bsky.social
What's going on with studio theatres?
Since the pandemic, smaller secondary spaces have quietly declined – with dire consequences for emerging artists. Can some new openings buck the trend?
exeuntmagazine.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:42 AM
really good piece. Most careers start in smaller spaces.
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
Submissions for #TheStageAwards 2026 close at midnight tonight! Get your entries in quick to be in with a chance of winning in January.
Apply now 👉https://www.thestage.co.uk/the-stage-awards/the-stage-awards
Apply now 👉https://www.thestage.co.uk/the-stage-awards/the-stage-awards
November 6, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Submissions for #TheStageAwards 2026 close at midnight tonight! Get your entries in quick to be in with a chance of winning in January.
Apply now 👉https://www.thestage.co.uk/the-stage-awards/the-stage-awards
Apply now 👉https://www.thestage.co.uk/the-stage-awards/the-stage-awards
This looks good from the brilliant Eleanor Turney www.many-hats.org
Many Hats | Professional development for freelancers
Many Hats offers professional development workshops tailored for freelancers to enhance skills, stay up-tp-date, and advance careers.
www.many-hats.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 AM
This looks good from the brilliant Eleanor Turney www.many-hats.org
"a debut play is not the ugly pancake you make before you make a batch of really fluffy ones"
‘Debuts can redefine theatre and reshape the industry’
Theatre503 leaders Anthony Simpson-Pike and Emily Carewe speak to The Stage about tackling a crisis in the new-writing ecology, as Simpson-Pike announces his first season 👇
Theatre503 leaders Anthony Simpson-Pike and Emily Carewe speak to The Stage about tackling a crisis in the new-writing ecology, as Simpson-Pike announces his first season 👇
Theatre503's leaders on debut plays and theatre funding
Theatre503 leaders Anthony Simpson-Pike and Emily Carewe speak to Lyn Gardner about the venue’s funding model and tackling a crisis in the new-writing ecology
www.thestage.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
"a debut play is not the ugly pancake you make before you make a batch of really fluffy ones"
There’s cowardice at work with theatres eyeing each other to see who does and doesn’t host before they commit. But what message does that send about creative freedom when organisations act so timidly arguing what is said from a theatre’s stages has no connection to how that organisation operates?
'Artists are showing their solidarity with Gaza – so why are theatres so nervous?', writes Lyn Gardner 👇
Lyn Gardner on theatres' lack of solidarity with Gaza
While some theatres are showing support for Gaza, too many organisations are still distancing themselves from what artists do and say on their stages, says Lyn Gardner
www.thestage.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
There’s cowardice at work with theatres eyeing each other to see who does and doesn’t host before they commit. But what message does that send about creative freedom when organisations act so timidly arguing what is said from a theatre’s stages has no connection to how that organisation operates?
Jeezus! at Underbelly is such fun. Deliciously irreverent.
August 14, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Jeezus! at Underbelly is such fun. Deliciously irreverent.
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
The Stage's Lyn Gardner shines a behind-the-scenes light on Pleasance Two, the Edinburgh Fringe venue aimed at producers looking to test out new musicals or to scale up or tour their shows.
Read her day in the life of... an Edinburgh Fringe venue 👇
Read her day in the life of... an Edinburgh Fringe venue 👇
A day in the life of... an Edinburgh Fringe venue
Pleasance Two is an attractive Edinburgh Fringe venue for producers looking to test, scale up or tour their shows. Lyn Gardner goes behind the scenes for the day
www.thestage.co.uk
August 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The Stage's Lyn Gardner shines a behind-the-scenes light on Pleasance Two, the Edinburgh Fringe venue aimed at producers looking to test out new musicals or to scale up or tour their shows.
Read her day in the life of... an Edinburgh Fringe venue 👇
Read her day in the life of... an Edinburgh Fringe venue 👇
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
“Starved of investment, British theatre has been cut to the bone. On the fringe, you can see the bones, and you can see them crumbling in front of your eyes.”
Polished fringe shows from overseas shine an ugly light on UK arts funding, says Lyn Gardner 👇
Polished fringe shows from overseas shine an ugly light on UK arts funding, says Lyn Gardner 👇
Lyn Gardner on underfunded home-grown shows at Edinburgh Fringe
At Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the gap in financial support between overseas and home-grown companies is increasingly evident in production values, says Lyn Gardner
www.thestage.co.uk
August 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“Starved of investment, British theatre has been cut to the bone. On the fringe, you can see the bones, and you can see them crumbling in front of your eyes.”
Polished fringe shows from overseas shine an ugly light on UK arts funding, says Lyn Gardner 👇
Polished fringe shows from overseas shine an ugly light on UK arts funding, says Lyn Gardner 👇
Philosophy of the World, This is Not About Me, Aether all @summerhallarts.bsky.social , I Think It Could Work @zoo, Lost Lear, Red Like Fruit, A Gamblers Guide @traversetheatre.bsky.social , Bury the Hachet, City of Incurable Women, Hot Mess @pleasance.co.uk
August 11, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Philosophy of the World, This is Not About Me, Aether all @summerhallarts.bsky.social , I Think It Could Work @zoo, Lost Lear, Red Like Fruit, A Gamblers Guide @traversetheatre.bsky.social , Bury the Hachet, City of Incurable Women, Hot Mess @pleasance.co.uk
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
The BoonDog Theatre Mentorship Scheme - Edinburgh 2026.
www.boondogtheatre.com/mentors
youtu.be/FyTJf9zoTKQ
www.boondogtheatre.com/mentors
youtu.be/FyTJf9zoTKQ
The BoonDog Theatre Mentorship Scheme
YouTube video by BoonDog Theatre
youtu.be
August 10, 2025 at 7:06 PM
The BoonDog Theatre Mentorship Scheme - Edinburgh 2026.
www.boondogtheatre.com/mentors
youtu.be/FyTJf9zoTKQ
www.boondogtheatre.com/mentors
youtu.be/FyTJf9zoTKQ
Exceptional work at the @traversetheatre.bsky.social with Red Like Fruit and I'm Ready to Talk Now, both formally inventive as well as great stories.
August 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Exceptional work at the @traversetheatre.bsky.social with Red Like Fruit and I'm Ready to Talk Now, both formally inventive as well as great stories.
So far @edfringe.bsky.social I have really liked Bury the Hatchet, Champions and Hot Mess, all @Pleasance venues.
August 2, 2025 at 9:04 AM
So far @edfringe.bsky.social I have really liked Bury the Hatchet, Champions and Hot Mess, all @Pleasance venues.
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
The Chris Goode case isn’t about ‘genius’ culture but about theatre’s power structures and failures in safeguarding, argues Lyn Gardner 👇
Lyn Gardner on how theatre's power structures enable abuse
Chris Goode's abuses may not have resulted in a reckoning, says Lyn Gardner, but that's not entirely down to theatre being in thrall to the myth of genius
www.thestage.co.uk
July 21, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The Chris Goode case isn’t about ‘genius’ culture but about theatre’s power structures and failures in safeguarding, argues Lyn Gardner 👇
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
Artistic directors are under more pressure than ever, as ethical scrutiny over sponsors like Barclays grows warns Lyn Gardner 👇
Lyn Gardner on the ethical issues surrounding arts sponsors
Barclays' sponsorship of the Donmar has left Timothy Sheader navigating an ethical minefield, and other ADs may soon have similar issues, says Lyn Gardner
www.thestage.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Artistic directors are under more pressure than ever, as ethical scrutiny over sponsors like Barclays grows warns Lyn Gardner 👇
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
Breaking: An independent review into the last-minute cancellation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Exchange in Manchester has pointed towards “significant systemic organisational and leadership failures” at the venue 👇
Royal Exchange independent review highlights 'significant leadership failures'
Royal Exchange independent review highlights 'significant leadership failures'
www.thestage.co.uk
March 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Breaking: An independent review into the last-minute cancellation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Exchange in Manchester has pointed towards “significant systemic organisational and leadership failures” at the venue 👇
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
ACE’s proposed changes to its project grants may be paused for now, but that doesn’t erase fears of looming catastrophe for artists and companies, says @lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social 👇
Lyn Gardner: ACE grant changes may be paused for now, but fears of looming catastrophe remain
www.thestage.co.uk
February 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
ACE’s proposed changes to its project grants may be paused for now, but that doesn’t erase fears of looming catastrophe for artists and companies, says @lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social 👇
New piece from me @thestage.bsky.social on planned ACE changes to Project Grants and why so many fear a looming catastrophe. Some of the changes would make touring even harder and be a death sentence for non-NPO funded companies. tinyurl.com/yxm77p58
February 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
New piece from me @thestage.bsky.social on planned ACE changes to Project Grants and why so many fear a looming catastrophe. Some of the changes would make touring even harder and be a death sentence for non-NPO funded companies. tinyurl.com/yxm77p58
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
💬 Freelancers are speaking up!
📢 “Pay us on time.”
📢 “Job security.”
📢 “Close the gender pay gap.”
What challenges do you face as a freelancer? Add your voice to #ShapingTheArts. 🎥
👉 Submit your video today: https://buff.ly/40OvHB0
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
📢 “Pay us on time.”
📢 “Job security.”
📢 “Close the gender pay gap.”
What challenges do you face as a freelancer? Add your voice to #ShapingTheArts. 🎥
👉 Submit your video today: https://buff.ly/40OvHB0
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
February 19, 2025 at 10:03 AM
💬 Freelancers are speaking up!
📢 “Pay us on time.”
📢 “Job security.”
📢 “Close the gender pay gap.”
What challenges do you face as a freelancer? Add your voice to #ShapingTheArts. 🎥
👉 Submit your video today: https://buff.ly/40OvHB0
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
📢 “Pay us on time.”
📢 “Job security.”
📢 “Close the gender pay gap.”
What challenges do you face as a freelancer? Add your voice to #ShapingTheArts. 🎥
👉 Submit your video today: https://buff.ly/40OvHB0
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
"It doesn’t help anyone when we divide women into the childless and the mothers”
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social interviews Anna Morris for @stagedoorldn.bsky.social ahead of the Southwark Playhouse run of her show Son of a Bitch 🤬✈️👶
stagedoor.com/theatre-guid...
( @thethelmas.bsky.social )
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social interviews Anna Morris for @stagedoorldn.bsky.social ahead of the Southwark Playhouse run of her show Son of a Bitch 🤬✈️👶
stagedoor.com/theatre-guid...
( @thethelmas.bsky.social )
Lyn Gardner Interviews Anna Morris Ahead of Son of a Bitch at Southwark Playhouse | by Lyn Gardner on Stagedoor
The Edinburgh Fringe First Award-winning play explores the complexities of motherhood and challenges the idealised image of parenthood
stagedoor.com
February 14, 2025 at 12:02 PM
"It doesn’t help anyone when we divide women into the childless and the mothers”
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social interviews Anna Morris for @stagedoorldn.bsky.social ahead of the Southwark Playhouse run of her show Son of a Bitch 🤬✈️👶
stagedoor.com/theatre-guid...
( @thethelmas.bsky.social )
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social interviews Anna Morris for @stagedoorldn.bsky.social ahead of the Southwark Playhouse run of her show Son of a Bitch 🤬✈️👶
stagedoor.com/theatre-guid...
( @thethelmas.bsky.social )
Hi all, everyone should read this because while ACE has announced a delay and consultation to their proposed changes, what was leaked about what was going to be put in place from April 1 would have been catastrophic and the end for many companies and a migraine for NPOs too.
Arts Council England has backtracked on plans to overhaul National Lottery Project Grants from April, promising to conduct further consultation with the sector ahead of bringing in changes from September.
👉 www.thestage.co.uk/news/ace...
👉 www.thestage.co.uk/news/ace...
February 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Hi all, everyone should read this because while ACE has announced a delay and consultation to their proposed changes, what was leaked about what was going to be put in place from April 1 would have been catastrophic and the end for many companies and a migraine for NPOs too.
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
"One of the great things to come out of #LetsCreate is that everybody has had to sit up and take notice of questions around quality and accessibility".
And about time too.
Insightful piece from @lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social
And about time too.
Insightful piece from @lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social
"I've always felt our work was genuinely radical, yet I was aware that because of its audience, it was beneath the notice of many in the industry"
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social meets the pioneering companies making theatre for disabled and neurodiverse audiences👇
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social meets the pioneering companies making theatre for disabled and neurodiverse audiences👇
‘Genuinely radical’: Meet the pioneering theatremakers serving disabled and neurodiverse audiences
Demand for productions designed for autistic people and those with learning difficulties is outstripping supply. The heads of three companies pioneering these performances talk to Lyn Gardner
www.thestage.co.uk
February 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
"One of the great things to come out of #LetsCreate is that everybody has had to sit up and take notice of questions around quality and accessibility".
And about time too.
Insightful piece from @lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social
And about time too.
Insightful piece from @lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
"I've always felt our work was genuinely radical, yet I was aware that because of its audience, it was beneath the notice of many in the industry"
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social meets the pioneering companies making theatre for disabled and neurodiverse audiences👇
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social meets the pioneering companies making theatre for disabled and neurodiverse audiences👇
‘Genuinely radical’: Meet the pioneering theatremakers serving disabled and neurodiverse audiences
Demand for productions designed for autistic people and those with learning difficulties is outstripping supply. The heads of three companies pioneering these performances talk to Lyn Gardner
www.thestage.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
"I've always felt our work was genuinely radical, yet I was aware that because of its audience, it was beneath the notice of many in the industry"
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social meets the pioneering companies making theatre for disabled and neurodiverse audiences👇
@lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social meets the pioneering companies making theatre for disabled and neurodiverse audiences👇
Artists often fail. It is part of the job because it is only by taking a gamble and risking falling flat on their faces that they have any possibility of delivering great art.
Despite what recent commentary might suggest, the West End is on the up and here’s why, writes @lyngardnertheatre.bsky.social 👇
www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/igno...
www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/igno...
Lyn Gardner: Ignore the doomsayers – the West End is on the up
Despite reports to the contrary, the facts suggest the West End is making a strong post-lockdown recovery and making money, says Lyn Gardner
www.thestage.co.uk
January 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Artists often fail. It is part of the job because it is only by taking a gamble and risking falling flat on their faces that they have any possibility of delivering great art.
Reposted by Lyn Gardner
And we’re off. The Women’s Prize for Playwriting is now open for submissions 🏆
Thread below:
Thread below:
The Women's Prize for Playwriting 2025 is now open for submissions until Tuesday 22nd April!🎉 @painesplough.bsky.social @concordukshows.bsky.social @ekpshows.bsky.social
The First Prize is £20,000: our biggest prize fund yet.👀
Enter via our website: womensprizeforplaywriting.co.uk/how-to-enter/
The First Prize is £20,000: our biggest prize fund yet.👀
Enter via our website: womensprizeforplaywriting.co.uk/how-to-enter/
January 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
And we’re off. The Women’s Prize for Playwriting is now open for submissions 🏆
Thread below:
Thread below: