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Alistair Smith

Editor

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Acting & Performance, Awards, Backstage & Technical, Dance, Edinburgh Fringe, Hot Topics, Jobs & Auditions, Musical Theatre, Opera, Pantomime, Reviews, Shakespeare, Training & Drama Schools, West End

Biography

Alistair Smith is editor of The Stage. Having joined the publication on staff in 2004, he has also held the roles of reporter, news editor, opinion editor, deputy editor and print editor at The Stage and has written for publications ranging from The Guardian to Hello! Magazine. He is also the author of two major industry reports (the London Theatre Report and the Theatre Workforce Review) and was a founder of the My Theatre Matters! campaign.

Recent Articles

Dear Boris Johnson: give theatres clarity or insurance

Opinion | 09 Jun 21

Next Monday, 455 days on from his first Covid briefing, the prime minister will make an announcement determining the future of the theatre industry. Let’s hope he has learned some lessons and finally offers the sector clarity or insurance, says Alistair Smith

Entertainment industry needs a unified approach to tackle harassment

Opinion | 01 Jun 21

Editor Alistair Smith welcomes the news that UK Theatre is developing a whistleblowing hotline to allow theatre workers to report abuse, but says the sector needs a unified approach

Qdos sale cements private equity's grip on commercial theatre outside London

Opinion | 26 May 21

Qdos’ sale to Crossroads is not only the latest twist in the UK pantomime saga, it also marks a seismic moment for commercial theatre outside London, says The Stage editor Alistair Smith

Cherish the West End's long-running productions – we'll be sorry if we lose them

Opinion | 18 May 21

The Mousetrap’s return shows we shouldn’t take the West End’s long-runners for granted. Without them, Theatreland would be – literally and figuratively – a much poorer place, says Alistair Smith

Let’s take this moment to celebrate theatre's return

Opinion | 12 May 21

There is still plenty of work to do, but for now let’s celebrate theatre’s return, says editor Alistair Smith

The government is the one ‘holding back’ young people

Opinion | 05 May 21

With its proposals to cut higher education arts subjects by 50%, the government is the one ‘holding back’ young people, says Alistair Smith

Mackintosh’s non-apology to Phantom musicians underlines the need for greater kindness in our industry

Opinion | 28 Apr 21

Cameron Mackintosh’s plan to revamp Phantom may be commercially sound, but his response to musicians who lost their livelihoods shows that being right isn’t everything – sometimes it is more important to be kind, says Alistair Smith

Theatre has made progress on race – critics need to catch up

Opinion | 21 Apr 21

Representation on theatre stages has improved in recent years, but writing about the art form has not evolved at the same rate, says The Stage editor Alistair Smith – it’s time to start a conversation about criticism and race

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

Opinion | 14 Apr 21

The allegations against producer Scott Rudin will have ramifications on both sides of the Atlantic. For the West End, it will be a major test of the assurances it made to its workforce in the wake of the Me Too movement, says, says Alistair Smith

Will the West End’s key players follow Liverpool’s lead to win back audiences?

Opinion | 07 Apr 21

Historically, the commercial sector has treated the West End as a zero-sum game, but will its key players now start thinking about it as an interconnected ecosystem in which everyone benefits from growth as the industry rebuilds itself? asks Alistair Smith