Small-Scale touring theatre show

Audiences buying tickets, venues paying a fee or sharing box office, and sometimes local sponsors or grant funders.

Ticket income (often a split with the venue), flat fees from venues, and sponsorship or grants. Profit depends on keeping cast, travel and venue costs below what each date brings in.

• Organising people and budgets
• Creative or directing experience
• Promoting events
• Negotiating with venues

• Public liability insurance, and check whether venues ask for a specific level of cover
• Performing rights and licensing: check whether you need permission to stage a published play or use copyrighted music
• Whether you are employing performers or hiring them as self-employed, check HMRC guidance
• Many shows lose money at first, so set a budget you can afford to lose
• Check each venue's rules on safety, risk assessments and child performers if relevant

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on the size of your cast, your set and how much you spend on promotion. Many shows lose money at first, so set a budget you can afford to lose.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around £0 to £3,500, depending on ticket sales, venue fees and any sponsorship or grants. Many shows lose money at first, so it is worth budgeting carefully.

Check public liability insurance and any level of cover venues ask for, whether you need permission to stage a published play or use copyrighted music, and HMRC guidance on employing or hiring performers. Also check each venue's safety and risk assessment rules.