The Stage
The UK's authoritative theatre newspaper covering news, reviews, and jobs
Overview
The Stage is the UK's longest-running and most respected theatre publication, having served the performing arts community since 1880. It covers theatre news, reviews, casting announcements, and industry trends across the UK and beyond.
The website includes a dedicated jobs section featuring casting calls, stage management roles, and other theatre positions. Some content is free to access, while in-depth articles and full job listings require a subscription.
How It Works
The Stage also publishes annual features like drama school guides, agent directories, and Edinburgh Festival coverage. Its reviews carry significant weight in the UK theatre community.
Basic news content is free, while a digital subscription for full access to articles and job listings starts at around £13.99 per month. Print and digital bundles are also available.
Who Uses It
Essential reading for anyone working in or aspiring to work in UK theatre. The jobs section is particularly valuable for finding fringe, regional, and West End opportunities alongside industry news. The Stage also operates Castings, a dedicated online platform that allows actors to search and apply for auditions directly. Their annual awards, The Stage Awards, recognize outstanding achievement in professional theatre and are closely followed by industry insiders.
Pricing & Plans
The Stage offers a digital subscription starting at £13.99 per month, which provides full access to all articles, reviews, features, and the complete job listings section. An annual digital subscription is available at a reduced rate of approximately £119.99, saving significantly over monthly payments. A combined print and digital bundle is also offered for readers who prefer a physical newspaper alongside online access. Basic news headlines and selected articles are available for free on the website, though the most valuable in-depth content sits behind the paywall. Compared to general news outlets, The Stage provides uniquely specialized coverage that no other UK publication matches for theatre professionals. The Castings platform operates as a separate service with its own pricing structure, typically requiring an additional subscription for full audition access. For actors on a budget, the free content alone provides meaningful industry awareness, though the paid tier is where the real professional value lies.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The Stage is the single most authoritative source of UK theatre news, reviews, and industry analysis, with a reputation built over more than 140 years of continuous publication. Its jobs section is unmatched for theatre-specific opportunities, covering everything from fringe productions to West End shows, pantomime seasons, and touring companies. The reviews section carries genuine weight in the industry, with positive Stage reviews helping to drive ticket sales and raise the profiles of emerging companies and performers. Annual features like the drama school guide provide invaluable, well-researched information for prospective students navigating their training options. The Stage's coverage of Edinburgh Fringe Festival is essential reading for anyone performing at or attending the world's largest arts festival. The digital platform is well designed and regularly updated, making it easy to stay current with industry developments on any device.
What Could Be Better
The subscription cost of £13.99 per month can feel steep for actors who are primarily interested in the job listings rather than the full editorial content. The Castings platform being a separate product means actors may need to pay for two subscriptions to access both news and audition listings, increasing the overall cost. While The Stage covers UK theatre comprehensively, its coverage of film and television is comparatively limited, making it less useful for screen-focused actors. The job listings tend to skew toward theatre opportunities, so actors seeking screen or commercial work will need to supplement with other platforms. Some freelance and fringe listings may offer very low pay or be unpaid, and the volume of these can dilute the quality of the jobs section. The print edition has a limited distribution outside major cities, which can make it harder to access for actors in rural or regional areas who prefer physical copies.
Our Recommendation
We recommend The Stage subscription for any actor who is actively pursuing theatre work in the UK, as it is the definitive resource for industry news and opportunities. If you are exclusively focused on screen work, you may find better value in platforms like Spotlight or Mandy, though The Stage still provides useful context about the broader performing arts landscape. Drama school applicants should consider at least a short-term subscription to access the annual training guides and audition advice features. For actors based outside the UK who are interested in British theatre, The Stage provides the most comprehensive window into the market. If budget is a concern, start with the free online content to assess its relevance to your career before committing to a paid subscription. The Castings add-on is worth the investment if you are actively auditioning for theatre roles and want access to listings not found on other platforms.
Pro Tips
Set up job alerts with specific criteria matching your type and experience level so you receive notifications as soon as relevant castings are posted. Read the reviews section regularly not just for entertainment value but to identify directors, writers, and companies producing work that aligns with your interests and skills. Use the annual drama school guide as your primary research tool if you are considering formal training, as it is the most comprehensive and honest resource available. Follow The Stage on social media for breaking news and casting announcements that sometimes appear there before the main website is updated. If you are performing at Edinburgh Fringe, study The Stage's festival coverage from previous years to understand what critics look for and how to maximize your chances of getting reviewed. Build a reading habit around The Stage to develop your knowledge of the UK theatre ecosystem, as informed actors who understand the industry landscape are better positioned to navigate it successfully.