Green Book to unify standards for environmentally responsible theatre

A new initiative will pull together comprehensive guidelines, targets and standards for environmentally responsible theatre in a three-volume Theatre Green Book.

Co-ordinated by Theatres Trust Trustee Paddy Dillon, the first volume, Sustainable Productions, is based on input from producers, directors, scenic artists, lighting designers and technicians, set-builders, designers, production managers and others working in theatre of all scales.

It is already available as a ‘Beta’ version for theatres to trial as they re-open shows this summer. Feedback from their experiences will refine the guidance before a final release at the end of 2021.

Dillon comments: “If theatre is to have a voice in addressing the most urgent challenge we face, it has to move beyond a traditional practice that makes shows from new materials and – all too often – leaves them in a skip after the final curtain.”

Work has begun on the next volume, Sustainable Buildings. A final volume, Sustainable Operations, will cover areas including front of house, catering and offices.  

The project is sponsored by Theatres Trust and ABTT, with UK Theatre / SOLT, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Theatre and Dance NI, Creu Cymru, Community Leisure UK and others, and will provide unified standards across the UK.