TW:Backstage News

Each week we select and summarise key developments in the culture business. Plus each spring we also provide regular round-ups of Edinburgh Festival news.

Sign up to the TW:Weekly for updates on all the latest stories.
Opposition mounts to plans for temporary Troubadour Theatre in Ealing's Walpole Park
Opposition mounts to plans for temporary Troubadour Theatre in Ealing’s Walpole Park
Live Comedy Association publishes more questions over Leicester Comedy Festival collapse
Live Comedy Association publishes more questions over Leicester Comedy Festival collapse
Earlier dates proposed as the future of the Edinburgh Fringe is back in the spotlight
Earlier dates proposed as the future of the Edinburgh Fringe is back in the spotlight
UK government appoints creative industry Freelance Champions
UK government appoints creative industry Freelance Champions
Equity seeks union recognition at Crystal Maze Experience
Equity seeks union recognition at Crystal Maze Experience
Leicester Comedy Festival company collapsed owing at least £215,000
Leicester Comedy Festival company collapsed owing at least £215,000
Edinburgh Council criticised for postponing discussion on visitor levy and festival funding
Edinburgh Council criticised for postponing discussion on visitor levy and festival funding
Banshee Labyrinth accepts it discriminated against Jewish comedian when cancelling his 2025 Edinburgh show
Banshee Labyrinth accepts it discriminated against Jewish comedian when cancelling his 2025 Edinburgh show
Industry responds to Leicester Comedy Festival collapse
Industry responds to Leicester Comedy Festival collapse
Amanda Knox defends her Fringe show as cancellation petition passes 40,000
Amanda Knox defends her Fringe show as cancellation petition passes 40,000
Underbelly's London venue to close
Underbelly’s London venue to close
Equity members back new agreement with West End producers
Equity members back new agreement with West End producers
Comedy groups write to new PM after comedy venues excluded from business rates announcement
Comedy groups write to new PM after comedy venues excluded from business rates announcement
New website will log audience participation information about Edinburgh Fringe shows
New website will log audience participation information about Edinburgh Fringe shows
Leicester Comedy Festival company files 'serious incident report' with Charity Commission
Leicester Comedy Festival company files ‘serious incident report’ with Charity Commission
Creative industries respond to new UK government
Creative industries respond to new UK government
News Briefing: Manifesto for cultural high streets
News Briefing: Manifesto for cultural high streets
Four London venues included in latest Theatres At Risk list
Four London venues included in latest Theatres At Risk list
Free Fringe launches new venue specifically for Edinburgh first timers
Free Fringe launches new venue specifically for Edinburgh first timers
Edinburgh's festivals have a £558 million impact on the city, says new report
Edinburgh’s festivals have a £558 million impact on the city, says new report
Duke Of York's becomes Tom Stoppard Theatre
Duke Of York’s becomes Tom Stoppard Theatre
LCA launches hardship fund for comedians affected by Leicester Comedy Festival payment delays
LCA launches hardship fund for comedians affected by Leicester Comedy Festival payment delays
EIF announces "lights down, phones off" policy
EIF announces “lights down, phones off” policy
London's Shaftesbury Theatre to be renamed in honour of Judi Dench
London’s Shaftesbury Theatre to be renamed in honour of Judi Dench
Edinburgh Fringe Society formally unveils new permanent Fringe Central complex
Edinburgh Fringe Society formally unveils new permanent Fringe Central complex
The Stand launches new Fringe award for Scottish comedy
The Stand launches new Fringe award for Scottish comedy
2026 Edinburgh Fringe Programme launched
2026 Edinburgh Fringe Programme launched
Gilded Balloon launches new funding scheme supported by Tim Minchin
Gilded Balloon launches new funding scheme supported by Tim Minchin
Young people locked out of creativity, says new Roundhouse report
Young people locked out of creativity, says new Roundhouse report
Summer VAT cut on children's shows welcome, but more permanent support required
Summer VAT cut on children’s shows welcome, but more permanent support required
Equity will meet West End producers again next month after members back strike action
Equity will meet West End producers again next month after members back strike action
Regulating 'digital replicas' in the spotlight in the US and UK
Regulating ‘digital replicas’ in the spotlight in the US and UK
Edinburgh Fringe gets another best joke prize
Edinburgh Fringe gets another best joke prize
New UK comedy radio station launches
New UK comedy radio station launches
New report considers the impact of AI on Edinburgh's festivals
New report considers the impact of AI on Edinburgh’s festivals
MPs seek input from comedians for Women In Comedy inquiry 
MPs seek input from comedians for Women In Comedy inquiry 
New sauna venue to pop up at Edinburgh Fringe
New sauna venue to pop up at Edinburgh Fringe
West End theatres could face strike action as Equity ballots members
West End theatres could face strike action as Equity ballots members
Theatre and music industries call on government to stop procrastinating over promised ticket touting ban
Theatre and music industries call on government to stop procrastinating over promised ticket touting ban
Parliament puts the spotlight on the experiences of women working in comedy
Parliament puts the spotlight on the experiences of women working in comedy
ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards announces prizes and supporters for 2026
ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards announces prizes and supporters for 2026
Downsized Keep It Fringe fund supports sixteen Edinburgh shows
Downsized Keep It Fringe fund supports sixteen Edinburgh shows
Finborough says new Arts Council funding is a "pivotal moment" for the fringe venue
Finborough says new Arts Council funding is a “pivotal moment” for the fringe venue
BBC Comedy Collective bursary scheme returns
BBC Comedy Collective bursary scheme returns
Southbank Centre reveals more about 75th anniversary event
Southbank Centre reveals more about 75th anniversary event
Creative industries welcome government's AI copyright u-turn
Creative industries welcome government’s AI copyright u-turn
Scottish government provides £500,000 boost for Edinburgh Fringe Society
Scottish government provides £500,000 boost for Edinburgh Fringe Society
Funding scheme supporting Edinburgh Fringe first timers open for applications
Funding scheme supporting Edinburgh Fringe first timers open for applications
New Parliamentary group to focus on freelancers in the creative industries
New Parliamentary group to focus on freelancers in the creative industries
Authors pile AI pressure on government with empty book
Authors pile AI pressure on government with empty book
New organisation launches to support wider comedy industry
New organisation launches to support wider comedy industry
National Theatre Artistic Director calls on sector to back "creative risk and new writing"
National Theatre Artistic Director calls on sector to back “creative risk and new writing”
MPs ask culture minister for update on live comedy commitments
MPs ask culture minister for update on live comedy commitments
ThreeWeeks returns for 30th year at the Edinburgh Festival
ThreeWeeks returns for 30th year at the Edinburgh Festival
News Briefing: Live Comedy Sector Survey 2025
News Briefing: Live Comedy Sector Survey 2025
Government intervention on AI urgently needed, say creator organisations
Government intervention on AI urgently needed, say creator organisations
Theatre director agreements "completely outdated" says union boss
Theatre director agreements “completely outdated” says union boss
Pandora settles comedy copyright dispute
Pandora settles comedy copyright dispute
Action needed to stop working class creatives leaving the arts, says new report
Action needed to stop working class creatives leaving the arts, says new report
Film and TV producers offer Equity members extra AI protections
Film and TV producers offer Equity members extra AI protections
UK government announces £1.5 billion to "save 1000 venues and museums"
UK government announces £1.5 billion to “save 1000 venues and museums”
New crowdfunding platform aims to support scripted comedies
New crowdfunding platform aims to support scripted comedies
New funding for London's Creative Enterprise Zones
New funding for London’s Creative Enterprise Zones
Pulp planned to back Adelaide Festival boycott before change of leadership
Pulp planned to back Adelaide Festival boycott before change of leadership
News Briefing: AI and the creative industries update
News Briefing: AI and the creative industries update
News Briefing: CAA v Reginald D Hunter case
News Briefing: CAA v Reginald D Hunter case
Equity members support industrial action over AI protections
Equity members support industrial action over AI protections
BBC responds to complaints over Robin Ince's 'Monkey Cage' departure
BBC responds to complaints over Robin Ince’s ‘Monkey Cage’ departure
UK government unveils refreshed Creative Industries Council
UK government unveils refreshed Creative Industries Council
UK government provides update on its AI and copyright consultation
UK government provides update on its AI and copyright consultation
Barbican transformation plan gets approval
Barbican transformation plan gets approval
Edinburgh Book Festival partners with Celtic Connections
Edinburgh Book Festival partners with Celtic Connections
Equity ballots members on industrial action in bid to secure AI protections
Equity ballots members on industrial action in bid to secure AI protections
Arts Theatre to pop-up in Marble Arch
Arts Theatre to pop-up in Marble Arch
Irish Arts Council commits to supporting comedy
Irish Arts Council commits to supporting comedy
New report says political interference in arts funding is impacting on freedom of expression
New report says political interference in arts funding is impacting on freedom of expression
Creative industries call on UK and EU leaders to make good on commitments around cultural exchange
Creative industries call on UK and EU leaders to make good on commitments around cultural exchange
Edinburgh Fringe will generate £6.5 million for city's new tourist levy
Edinburgh Fringe will generate £6.5 million for city’s new tourist levy
London theatres welcome touting ban, as touts claim it will fuel fraud
London theatres welcome touting ban, as touts claim it will fuel fraud
London's new Capital Theatre will open in October 2026
London’s new Capital Theatre will open in October 2026
Edinburgh TV Festival may move to another city
Edinburgh TV Festival may move to another city
UK government to ban for-profit ticket touting
UK government to ban for-profit ticket touting
Parents And Carers In Performing Arts launches new pledge
Parents And Carers In Performing Arts launches new pledge
New comedian's safety guide published
New comedian’s safety guide published
London buskers hit by "double whammy of lost income"
London buskers hit by “double whammy of lost income”
Equity given go ahead to appeal ruling in Spotlight dispute
Equity given go ahead to appeal ruling in Spotlight dispute
Creative industries welcome UK government's school curriculum review
Creative industries welcome UK government’s school curriculum review
Stability AI wins copyright dispute with Getty Images
Stability AI wins copyright dispute with Getty Images
Pentameters Theatre responds to relaunch of its former home
Pentameters Theatre responds to relaunch of its former home
UK government launches Creative Careers campaign
UK government launches Creative Careers campaign
LIFT announces alliance with Battersea Arts Centre
LIFT announces alliance with Battersea Arts Centre
Creative industries say UK should follow Australia on AI copyright policy
Creative industries say UK should follow Australia on AI copyright policy
London mayor backs appeal over busking ban
London mayor backs appeal over busking ban
Existing connections lead to 75% of creative industry jobs
Existing connections lead to 75% of creative industry jobs
Live Comedy Association undertakes another sector survey
Live Comedy Association undertakes another sector survey
New Ari Emanuel Company buys TodayTix
New Ari Emanuel Company buys TodayTix
Spitting Image comedians respond to Paddington lawsuit
Spitting Image comedians respond to Paddington lawsuit
More criticism of Riyadh Comedy Festival performers
More criticism of Riyadh Comedy Festival performers
Ireland to make basic income for artists scheme permanent 
Ireland to make basic income for artists scheme permanent 
MPs told about challenges faced by Edinburgh’s festivals
MPs told about challenges faced by Edinburgh’s festivals
Tilly Norwood prompts new calls for AI protections
Tilly Norwood prompts new calls for AI protections
Edinburgh Fringe announces partner for website overhaul
Edinburgh Fringe announces partner for website overhaul
Controversy builds over Riyadh Comedy Festival
Controversy builds over Riyadh Comedy Festival
Associate artists quit Sadler’s Wells over Barclays sponsorship
Associate artists quit Sadler’s Wells over Barclays sponsorship
Equity and MU make demands at Labour Party Conference
Equity and MU make demands at Labour Party Conference
Jimmy Kimmel show to return to ABC
Jimmy Kimmel show to return to ABC
‘Elitist Britain’ report is “wake-up call” for the arts
‘Elitist Britain’ report is “wake-up call” for the arts
Shepherd's Bush Empire upgrade
Shepherd’s Bush Empire upgrade
Equity to appeal Spotlight ruling
Equity to appeal Spotlight ruling
Creative UK highlights lack of diversity in cultural leadership
Creative UK highlights lack of diversity in cultural leadership
Royal Court launches national playwright award for teens
Royal Court launches national playwright award for teens
Anthropic agrees to $1.5 billion settlement with authors
Anthropic agrees to $1.5 billion settlement with authors
Equity's lawsuit over Spotlight fees dismissed
Equity’s lawsuit over Spotlight fees dismissed
New minister at Department For Culture, Media & Sport
New minister at Department For Culture, Media & Sport
Arts Council boss provides another update on grantium crash
Arts Council boss provides another update on grantium crash
Anthropic agrees settlement in key AI copyright dispute
Anthropic agrees settlement in key AI copyright dispute
Opening of new London theatre delayed
Opening of new London theatre delayed
Edinburgh Festival stats galore
Edinburgh Festival stats galore
MPs say government should take comedy more seriously
MPs say government should take comedy more seriously
Arts Council boss posts update on Grantium crash
Arts Council boss posts update on Grantium crash
Oasis shows result in Edinburgh hotel price surge
Oasis shows result in Edinburgh hotel price surge
Fringe Society allies with Brand Scotland
Fringe Society allies with Brand Scotland
Pleasance works with Sight Scotland
Pleasance works with Sight Scotland
Bail conditions force Susan Riddell to cancel Fringe show
Bail conditions force Susan Riddell to cancel Fringe show
Jewish comedians speak out after Free Fringe shows cancelled
Jewish comedians speak out after Free Fringe shows cancelled
Rooms still available in Fringe Village for performers
Rooms still available in Fringe Village for performers
AI-powered Fringe planner
AI-powered Fringe planner
EIF’s sustainability work verified
EIF’s sustainability work verified
Dave's Joke Of The Fringe Award is axed
Dave’s Joke Of The Fringe Award is axed
Equity v Spotlight heading to high court
Equity v Spotlight heading to high court
Second comedy sector survey launched
Second comedy sector survey launched
Parliament discusses fossil fuel sponsorship
Parliament discusses fossil fuel sponsorship
BBC confirms 2025 Edinburgh Festival coverage
BBC confirms 2025 Edinburgh Festival coverage
Elf Lyons launches new award for Fringe techs
Elf Lyons launches new award for Fringe techs
Edinburgh Festival bosses discuss sponsorship challenges
Edinburgh Festival bosses discuss sponsorship challenges
News Briefing: AI + fair use developments
News Briefing: AI + fair use developments
News Briefing: UK government's Creative Industries Sector Plan
News Briefing: UK government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan
Book Festival launches programme
Book Festival launches programme
BBC cuts back its presence at the Festival
BBC cuts back its presence at the Festival
Edinburgh Filmhouse to re-open this month
Edinburgh Filmhouse to re-open this month
UK government’s AI regulations delayed, but will deal with copyright
UK government’s AI regulations delayed, but will deal with copyright
UK government commits to support comedy sector in parliament
UK government commits to support comedy sector in parliament
Lung Ha launches Access And Creative Principles Toolkit
Lung Ha launches Access And Creative Principles Toolkit
2025 Edinburgh Fringe programme published
2025 Edinburgh Fringe programme published
Fleabag producer discusses the economics of the Edinburgh Fringe
Fleabag producer discusses the economics of the Edinburgh Fringe
Fringe Central returns to The Grassmarket
Fringe Central returns to The Grassmarket
News Briefing: BBC comedy report
News Briefing: BBC comedy report
News Briefing: Brockwell Live legal battle
News Briefing: Brockwell Live legal battle
Creators send AI letter to PM
Creators send AI letter to PM
Comedy in the spotlight in Parliament
Comedy in the spotlight in Parliament
1500+ more Edinburgh Fringe shows announced
1500+ more Edinburgh Fringe shows announced
News Briefing: Latest AI debates in Parliament
News Briefing: Latest AI debates in Parliament
News Briefing: The Arts Council's 'spillover impacts' report
News Briefing: The Arts Council’s ‘spillover impacts’ report
Paul Currie v Soho Theatre in court
Paul Currie v Soho Theatre in court
New Edinburgh Fringe boss starts work
New Edinburgh Fringe boss starts work
Sky to launch 'Saturday Night Live UK'
Sky to launch ‘Saturday Night Live UK’
News Briefing: Parliament session on live comedy
News Briefing: Parliament session on live comedy
News Briefing: The CMA's Secondary Ticketing Submission
News Briefing: The CMA’s Secondary Ticketing Submission
News Briefing: Donald Trump's AI Action Plan
News Briefing: Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan
UK government revising position on AI and copyright
UK government revising position on AI and copyright
Arts Council director discusses diversity review
Arts Council director discusses diversity review
Spiegeltent returns to Edinburgh Fringe
Spiegeltent returns to Edinburgh Fringe
News Briefing: UK government's AI consultation
News Briefing: UK government’s AI consultation
AI and the creative industries discussed in Parliament again
AI and the creative industries discussed in Parliament again
New Edinburgh Fringe Society CEO appointed
New Edinburgh Fringe Society CEO appointed
Jim Jefferies v The Village People
Jim Jefferies v The Village People
News Briefing: Live Comedy Sector Survey 2024
News Briefing: Live Comedy Sector Survey 2024
National Theatre publishes Scene Change report
National Theatre publishes Scene Change report
AI concerns expressed by UK creative industries
AI concerns expressed by UK creative industries
Summerhall will be back at Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Summerhall will be back at Edinburgh Fringe 2025
News Briefing: Shambles copyright judgement
News Briefing: Shambles copyright judgement
News Briefing: The ticketing consultation
News Briefing: The ticketing consultation
News Briefing: Generative AI and personality rights
News Briefing: Generative AI and personality rights
Stereophonic copyright case settled
Stereophonic copyright case settled
US court upholds TikTok ban
US court upholds TikTok ban
Creative Scotland welcomes budget boost from Scottish government
Creative Scotland welcomes budget boost from Scottish government
News Briefing: Kneecap v Badenoch
News Briefing: Kneecap v Badenoch
News Briefing: Possible TikTok bans
News Briefing: Possible TikTok bans
BBC Comedy Festival heading to Belfast
BBC Comedy Festival heading to Belfast
UK government demands ticket levy to support grassroots shows
UK government demands ticket levy to support grassroots shows
EIF unveils theme and first shows for 2025 programme
EIF unveils theme and first shows for 2025 programme
News Briefing: Shambles copyright case
News Briefing: Shambles copyright case
News Briefing: Culture select committee and its Creator Remuneration report
News Briefing: Culture select committee and its Creator Remuneration report
News Briefing: Generative AI and controversial copyright exceptions
News Briefing: Generative AI and controversial copyright exceptions
Vault Festival's venue relaunches
Vault Festival’s venue relaunches
Creative UK welcomes launch of government's industrial strategy
Creative UK welcomes launch of government’s industrial strategy
Fringe Society CEO stands down
Fringe Society CEO stands down
News Briefing: The 'Stereophonic' copyright case
News Briefing: The ‘Stereophonic’ copyright case
News Briefing: The comedians v Pandora dispute
News Briefing: The comedians v Pandora dispute
News Briefing: Ticketing debates and controversies
News Briefing: Ticketing debates and controversies
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