Create Tour Connect (CTC) is transforming small-scale touring theatre by bringing together 18 arts organisations to deliver a sector-led coordinated approach for commissioning new work, supporting artists and companies and touring shows to rural communities.
CTC is made up of four regional hubs covering the north, south west, midlands and southeast.
North – Spot On (Lancs), Highlights, Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, Blaize (Artery & Live Lincs), Arts Out West, Rural Arts ON Tour
Southwest – Artsreach, Carn to Cove, Take Art, Villages in Action, Air in G, Beaford Arts, Pound Arts
Midlands –Arts Alive, Black Country Touring, Live & Local
Southeast – Applause, Creative Arts East
Each area represents a diverse range of community spaces including village and community halls, libraries, pubs, and arts centres. One show has been selected from each region and offered a commission to develop an original theatre pieces for national touring.
The Create Tour Connect shows
Wild (Black Country Touring) Autumn 2025
Eyes Down (Just Some Theatre) Spring 2026
George and the Drag Queen (Pipeline Theatre) Currently touring till 12th Dec 2026
A Country’s Tale: Feasting, Fighting and Folk (Out of Chaos) Touring Spring 2027
Why is Create Tour Connect needed?
Community touring has been facing an increasing lack of suitable touring shows, particularly with more than two in the cast and relevant to contemporary rural audiences. This has been caused by a range of factors including the pause in production during the pandemic, high costs associated with making and touring and a lack of available funds.
CTC has addressed this in an innovative way by developing a nationwide network of rural touring schemes and arts organisations, who know their local areas and who work together to source and develop new and relevant shows featuring three or more performers.
Latest Project Updates
We are delighted to have received an Arts Council England grant to develop Create Tour Connect. Alongside our partners we will be commissioning, supporting and touring three more productions across 108 dates in Spring 2028.
The callout for a show from the south east/ south west has now closed. We will be announcing the new commission soon. Look out for upcoming callouts for other regions here and on our socials.
- GEORGE AND THE DRAG QUEEN LAUNCHES NATIONAL TOUR 24th September 2026
- COMMISSION FOR THE SOUTHEAST ANNOUNCED AS A COUNTRY’S TALE – FEASTING, FIGHTING AND FOLK 13th May 2026
- COMMISSION FOR THE SOUTHWEST ANNOUNCED AS GEORGE AND THE DRAG QUEEN 2nd March 2026
- EYES DOWN LAUNCHES NATIONAL TOUR 2nd February 2026
- WILD TOUR LAUNCHES 8th October 2025
- CALLOUT FOR NEW THEATRE FROM THE SOUTH WEST 9th September 2025
- CALLOUT FOR NEW THEATRE FROM FINAL REGION – THE SOUTH EAST 28th May 2025
- JUST SOME THEATRE JOINS NATIONAL ARTS PROJECT 31st March 2025
- WILD ANNOUNCED AS FIRST PRODUCTION FOR NEW NATIONAL ARTS PROJECT Dec 2024
I have never experienced anything like this before
Audience member about Eyes Down (2026)
