From Mark Pemberton, Chief Executive, National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA)
While I am delighted that Arts Council England has issued such a weighty report on the contribution made by theatre to the UK economy, and in particular noted the number of volunteers ?working in the UK theatre sector? (ArtsProfessional, issue 74, May 17, p1), it is a pity that the contribution made by amateur or community theatre to the UK economy has been omitted.
NODA, the representative body for amateur theatre in the UK, carried out its own research in 2002 which revealed that the total box office income of our 2,300 affiliated groups was £34m, with 7.3 million tickets sold. And, more pertinently, the total number of volunteers involved was 437,800, substantially dwarfing the 16,000 quoted in the ACE report.
Next time ACE proposes commissioning such ?comprehensive? research, we would hugely appreciate it if the contribution made by amateur and community theatre was recognised, and even celebrated, rather than simply being ignored.