Artistic Director of Propeller Theatre Company, Edward Hall, Responds to ACE NPO Funding Decision

In 2012/13 Propeller performed for 32 weeks in the UK giving 195 performances to 72,867 people, 19,674 of whom were 21 or younger, with 80% of national reviews being 4star plus.

Over the last three years audiences have grown by 20% from 60,454 to 72,867.

Propeller has repeatedly increased the number of venues it plays to whilst maintaining its relationship with The Touring Partnership's network of 10 large-scale regional venues.

ACE funding represents 19.42% of Propeller's annual turnover of £1,307,761. Propeller raises the rest of the income via fees at home and abroad and fundraising. ACE funding is the vital seed money for this enormous body of work.

Internationally, Propeller has toured to 22 countries over the last three years and has performed to 95,726 people.

Artistic Director Edward Hall said:

'Despite this extraordinary record on the national and international touring circuit bringing Shakespeare to thousands of people in the regions and beyond, Propeller has been turned down for funding from ACE. This prevents the company from forward planning and calls into question the future.

ACE have told us: 'We decided that, taking into account the quality and level of your artform provision available nationally, we preferred other applications.'

Whilst a lack of commitment from ACE to high quality touring theatre on a financial basis is perhaps understandable, Propeller's national reach and quality of work cannot be called into question as our track record amply demonstrates. I am sorry that this decision will prevent us from continuing to pursue our national touring programme which has delighted so many thousands of people and which will prevent our company from pursuing its commitment to delivering affordable, high quality drama in the regions.'

Edward Hall

www.propeller.org.uk