Leading theatre companies across the UK adopt Theatre Green Book

National Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland and National Theatre Wales commit to making their shows to the new standard for sustainability with other organisations planning to follow suit.

The National Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, and National Theatre Wales have all committed to making their shows to the new Theatre Green Book standard for sustainability, while other leading companies, including the Royal Opera House, Old Vic, Scottish Opera, Manchester International Festival, HOME, Royal Court, Unicorn, Roundhouse and Tinderbox Theatre Company have endorsed the Theatre Green Book with plans to follow suit as quickly as possible.

Created during lockdown, spearheaded by Theatres Trust, Buro Happold and ABTT and led by theatre architect Paddy Dillon, the Theatre Green Book has brought theatre-makers together with sustainability experts to set common standards for sustainable theatre. A cross-industry partnership, uniting all the leading theatre organisations, it has helped theatre-makers think creatively about theatre’s response to the climate crisis, and define shared standards for the journey to sustainable practice.

Paddy Dillon, Theatre Green Book Co-ordinator and Theatres Trust Deputy Chair, says, “The Theatre Green Book is theatre’s shared response to the climate emergency. During lockdown, theatre-makers of all disciplines have brought their expertise and knowledge to the discussion. It’s fantastic to see so many companies seizing this as a moment of real change.”

Jon Morgan, Director of Theatres Trust, says ‘Theatres Trust and the other Theatre Green Book project partners are delighted that so many of our larger theatre organisations have shown leadership in the sector’s response to the climate crisis. We know there are also other smaller theatres, producers and freelancers who will be using the Theatre Green Book in their work and we’d urge organisations and individuals working at all scales to get involved.”

Download the full press release for statements from each of the companies.

Find out more about the Theatre Green Book project.