‘Absolute outrage’: arts in state schools must be a priority for next government, say theatre leaders

London Theatre Company director Nicholas Hytner, who says state schools ‘have been robbed’, with artistic director of Bristol Old Vic, Nancy Medina, and artistic director of Staffordshire’s New Vic, Theresa Heskins. Composite: Murdo Macleod / Barbara Evripdou / Andrew Billington

Addressing the erosion and devaluation of the arts in state schools must be a priority for the next government, leading theatre figures in England have urged.

Sir Nicholas Hytner, who ran the National Theatre in London for 12 years, said that state schools “have been robbed” and that restoring arts education was a matter of urgency to ensure that there is “not just a new generation of artists but a new generation of audiences”. Nancy Medina, the artistic director of Bristol Old Vic, said the arts should be a “necessity for all pupils” and not just the “preserve” of independent schools. Theresa Heskins, artistic director of Staffordshire’s New Vic, suggested that the next government commit to providing every schoolchild a theatre trip.