In recent years, the number of students choosing to study the arts at GCSE and A-level has seen a sharp and worrying decline. 

In this article from The Stage it shows just how the arts are suffering. It states that: ‘drama experienced one of the largest downturns, declining 6.2% between 2024 and 2025’ and English literature numbers are down and ‘is now only the 11th most popular A level, falling behind subjects including art and design, business studies and sociology.’

The Globe’s education director, Lucy Cuthbertson, has recently expressed her concerns and said: "Drama is falling off the cliff, but it’s happening in English as well," and "I never thought I’d see English struggling like drama has been."

It is a real shock to us all seeing these stats. The industry has been experiencing this decline for some time. We wrote this piece in 2023 with the hope to see some positive change, but if anything, things are getting worse.

We’re continually seeing subjects like music, drama, and dance being removed from primary school classrooms, due to budget cuts to have more focus on STEM subjects.

STEAM not STEM

But it’s STEAM after all, not STEM. The arts are just as vital as science, technology, engineering and maths. When the government and other powers that be don’t recognise this and start making unforgivable cuts, then this is where the problem starts.

Children and young people are natural creatives with great imaginations. They are like sponges – soaking up knowledge, curious and not afraid to experiment and try new things. In their early years, at pre-school and primary, this is when many discover their love of playing musical instruments, painting and performing.

If schools can’t offer art, music, or drama, many children may never get the chance to explore them. Some may be brilliant musicians, performers, or creators but we’ll never know, because they are losing out and not getting the chance to find out what they’re good at or what they might have a passion for.

As the arts disappear from primary schools, only families who can afford it can turn to extracurricular clubs and training. With the abundance of great dance schools, youth and community theatres, music tuition opportunities available, even in our great city, these are only available to some, not everyone. This then creates a stark divide between those from wealthier backgrounds and those from lower-income families, also known as the ‘arts entitlement gap’.

Arts entitlement gap

Seeing the arts as elite, is devastating, not only to children who can’t share their voice or talent, but to our industry. If there’s exceptional talent waiting to be discovered in the classroom and potentially never found, where will we find the next generation of theatre makers?

Without a wealth of creatives from every background, where are the diverse voices and stories going to come from?  Will there be new innovation?  Will our industry suffer? The short answer is, yes. We risk losing new talent, new ideas and new stories coming into the industry.

If only ‘the elite’ are bringing their stories, then our whole cultural landscape becomes a great deal narrower. These stories won’t be accessible or resonate with everyone, only a small minority. The arts must be accessible to all, not just the rich.

The UK is diverse, and we have so many exciting stories to tell. We must ensure that the next generation of theatre makers have the opportunities they need from an early age, are trained, nurtured and ready to have their voices heard.

Talking Heads on Tour

This autumn, we are going on tour with two powerful monologues from Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads - Soldiering On and A Lady of Letters.

'Soldiering On' with Sue Whyte

Stoicism is seen as a particular strength of the British character, and no-one is more stoical than Muriel who we meet just after husband Ralph’s funeral. She’s part of the posh “country set” and Ralph has left her a very rich widow, but there’s a liquidity problem according to son Giles and Ralph was apparently not all he seemed either.

'A Lady Of Letters' with Caroline Mann

Irene Ruddock is not afraid to speak, or rather write, her mind about society’s faults. She writes to her MP, the Queen, the police, the local crematorium and the chemist – in fact everyone she can to suggest how to remedy these ills. When she suspects a neighbouring couple of child abuse though things become very serious.

At a time when fewer people are studying the arts, and access is becoming increasingly limited to those who can afford it, this tour feels more important than ever. We want to take theatre to new communities, to start conversations and spark inspiration. Because theatre isn’t just for the elite. It’s for everyone.

Touring venues

We hope to see you there!