The Changing Role of Live Entertainment at English Seaside Resorts at the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore the role of live entertainment in the continuing fortunes and life of English seaside resorts at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Based primarily on an analysis of key reports and in-depth interviews with various informed-source local government practitioners at seven seaside resorts in England, it focuses on the place of live entertainment in both the tourism product and an increasing and broader cultural product available to local communities. Key findings suggest that, while live entertainment is not a prime motive for visiting resorts, it is, nevertheless, something that visitors expect to see and thus seaside local authorities continue to support their local theatres. However, given the considerable subsidy involved, such councils are increasingly managing and promoting their theatres for a broader audience, involving local residents as well as tourists, with theatres operating all year round.