The Prime Minister has today visited the Design Innovation
Institute in Shanghai to mark the growing impact of British
theatre in China – boosting growth and supporting jobs at home.
Alongside actress Rosamund Pike and representatives from the
National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, the Prime
Minister met performing arts students from a local school in
Shanghai.
Rosamund joined the Prime Minister following her sold-out run in
National Theatre production Inter Alia, which will transfer to
cinemas across China this spring as part of National Theatre Live
– which takes the best British theatre to venues around the
world, reaching millions of people.
The National Theatre has had huge success with its productions in
China, with its productions having been shown in more than 7,000
venues since 2015.
The Prime Minister is in Shanghai following a trip to Beijing,
where he is making the case for a more consistent and strategic
partnership between the UK and China, which will unlock more
opportunities for British businesses to grow and expand into
China's huge economy.
The performing arts sector contributed £4.5 billion to the
economy and supported 105,000 British jobs in 2023.
Prime Minister said:
The success of Great British organisations such as the National
Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company in China showcases the
strength and appeal of our world-leading creative industries.
Their superpower is their soft power – benefiting Britain across
the globe.
The Prime Minister also joined representatives from the Royal
Shakespeare Company, who have announced that their award-winning
West End show Matilda the Musical will return to China for a
third tour from next month. He met cast and crew from the
production
The success of both organisations in China highlights the growing
impact of British theatre as a cultural export – showcasing the
talent and expertise of UK performing arts professionals across
the globe while supporting jobs at home.
Kate Varah, Executive Director and Co-CEO of the National
Theatre, said:
The National Theatre offers the widest access to high quality
theatre in the world and has a rich history of sharing
productions on stage and in cinemas in China. As such, joining
the Prime Minister on this vital trip is a fitting
privilege.
We are thrilled to share the news that National Theatre's smash
hit play Inter Alia starring Rosamund Pike will be
coming to Chinese cinemas this spring. Thanks to our
partners ATW Culture, who have significantly increased the number
of venues screening National Theatre Live in China, we are now
able to turbo-charge our reach. This important play, written
by Suzie Miller, resonated deeply with audiences during its
sold-out run at the National Theatre. The stage production
will shortly transfer to London's West End,
and it's wonderful that a whole new audience
across China will now get to experience it in cinemas.
Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director of the Royal
Shakespeare Company said,
The Royal Shakespeare Company is proud to share the best of
British theatre with audiences around the world, strengthening
the connections and joy that theatre brings across borders. The
2026 Matilda The Musical China tour showcases
world-class British creativity and supports more than 100 jobs
for UK nationals.
Running from February to August, this acclaimed,
multi-award-winning production will delight over a quarter of a
million audience members across China. First performed on our
stage in Stratford-upon-Avon in the heart of the West Midlands in
2010, Matilda The Musical continues to inspire
audiences across the globe.
Additional information
- Last year alone, a hugely
successful cinema run of National Theatre
play Prima Facie was watched by nearly
900,000 people in China.
- National Theatre stage productions that have toured
in China include major hits War Horse and The
Curious Incident of the Dog in the
Night-Time, and digital versions of National
Theatre performances are also used by
a selection of universities and schools across the
country.
- The PM met Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director of the Royal
Shakespeare Company. They were joined by Paul Warwick Griffin and
Mindy Chang from GWB Entertainment, producers for the China tour,
for a pop-up installation inspired by Matilda The Musical and
featuring guest appearances by cast members Seb
Torkia (who plays Mr Wormwood) and Amelia
Adams (Mrs Wormwood). The delegation also learnt more
about the world-class craftsmanship behind the production with
Wardrobe Supervisor Sharon and Wigs and Make Up Supervisor
Helen Keane.
