Political theatre
...pted many of the alternative companies and styles. A great many ‘alternative companies’ have performed successfully to the West End audiences, suggesting that new audiences have been attracted to the theatre. This encouraged political consciousness and suggesting the possibility of change. The Arts Council, which was set up after the war to encourage and subsidise the arts, had initially concerned itself mainly with major companies, such as opera. However, they decided to investigate alternative theatre. However, funding problems arose, which dampened the optimism that gave rise to the new theatre. The Conservative government came to power in 1979. By the mid to late 1980’s, the Art’s Council was to assist in the downfall of many of those touring theatre companies. It decided that companies must find half their income from sources other than subsidy, which lead to many companies quitting; including Foco Novo, and Joint...