Over 37 million people attended the theatre in the UK in 2025, yet the number of new works on UK stages has declined by 30% in London and 44% outside. ZooNation’s New Production Fund will ensure new, diverse storytellers and innovative, groundbreaking theatre continue to make it to the stage.
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Public funding for the arts in the UK has declined by over 50% since 2010, while production costs have more than doubled (Theatre in the UK 2026 Report). As a result, the number of plays and musicals staged by even the best-funded theatres has dropped by almost a third (BBC Research 2025) and the number of new works staged in the UK by even more. The support for discovering new, diverse voices and developing innovative, risk-taking theatre is declining just when it is needed most.
ZooNation are groundbreaking storytellers, setting the stage for the next generation of theatregoers and theatre-makers. We were the first to bring Hip Hop-inspired dance to the West End and remain trailblazing in our ability to support artists to tell important stories through cutting edge theatrical productions. Our New Production Fund will support diverse artists and creative teams to develop new, artistically excellent and socially conscious works, engaging new and seasoned audiences.
