The Stage

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Alistair Smith

Managing director

The Stage

About Alistair Smith

Alistair Smith is managing director of The Stage Media Company. He was editor of The Stage from 2014 to 2026. He is also the author of two major industry reports (the London Theatre Report and the Theatre Workforce Review) and is the chair of theatre careers charity Get Into Theatre.

Recent Articles

A farewell, and what I believe The Stage is for

Opinion

In his final column as editor, Alistair Smith hails The Stage’s mission to support the industry – a spirit of progression evident throughout The Stage Awards

The Stage in print: refreshed and reimagined

Opinion

Alistair Smith sets out what to expect from the new monthly print edition of The Stage magazine and asks readers for their thoughts

Margaret Hodge's Arts Council England review offers clear path forward

Opinion

Margaret Hodge’s Arts Council England review offers protection for the arm’s-length principle and shrewd recommendations for the funding body, says Alistair Smith

Front-of-house staff deserve their share of the spotlight

Opinion

Front-of-house and box-office staff should be valued for the contribution they make to an audience’s experience, whether it’s providing reassurance or generating excitement, says Alistair Smith

Tom Stoppard’s genius underlines what we now risk losing

Opinion

Tom Stoppard’s phenomenal career in theatre was in part down to the opportunities available – something that playwrights now lack, says Alistair Smith

A new era for The Stage in print

Opinion

From January 2026, The Stage will no longer appear as a weekly newspaper but rather as a monthly magazine designed for deeper reading, says Alistair Smith

The Hunger Games shows brand power cuts both ways

Opinion

Bringing established IP to the stage has huge benefits, says Alistair Smith, but it can also lead to some unexpected challenges

EBacc’s damage to the theatre talent pipeline will persist without investment

Opinion

Changes to the national curriculum may restore arts subjects to their rightful place, but a generation’s worth of talent is still at risk of being lost, says Alistair Smith

Is classism repelling theatre’s biggest talents?

Opinion

Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Day-Lewis have said they avoid stage work partly due to classism. Will more great actors follow suit if the issue isn’t tackled, asks Alistair Smith

West End can’t afford to repeat Broadway’s mistakes

Opinion

A recent influx of US investment into London theatre is welcome, but the West End should be careful not to repeat Broadway’s mistakes, says Alistair Smith

TodayTix sale: are private equity investments fuelling creativity in theatre?

Opinion

The sale of TodayTix and Paul Mathew Transport raises important questions about theatre’s profit centres and how we can fund creativity, says Alistair Smith

Considering actor training? Here's the question you must ask yourself

Opinion

The path to a stage career has never been more varied or complex, and the job market remains as competitive as ever. if you have decided you want to go to drama school, here’s what to consider...

Second Stage is a welcome step forward for theatre’s relationship with the justice system

Opinion

Second Stage will do vital work supporting ex-offenders to rebuild their lives, but theatre must also ensure that sustainable careers are available when widening access, says Alistair Smith

Celebrating talent and opening doors at The Stage Debut Awards

Opinion

Beyond spotlighting the best emerging talent, The Stage Debut Awards also aim to bring that talent together to forge vital connections, says Alistair Smith

Indhu Rubasingham’s reign begins at the National Theatre

Opinion

There has been an extraordinary level of attention surrounding Indhu Rubasingham appointment at the NT – and the opening of her debut season looks likely to garner the same scrutiny