Led by Giles Watling, Conservative MP for Clacton, and Tracy Brabin, Labour MP for Batley and Spen – both former professional actors with experience of the theatre industry – the cross-party group has been founded to support the resilience and relevance of theatre in the UK for audiences, its workforce and society.

UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre (SOLT) have been appointed the secretariat, providing organisational, staff time and strategic support. They will also be bringing together a group of theatre organisations from across the UK to act as a sounding board and help ensure that a wide range of theatre topics and issues are suggested for the APPG to look into.

A formal launch of the new APPG will be held in the Autumn.