Small-Scale Touring Meet-Ups for Festivals, Artists, Venues & Producers
Hosted by UK Fringe & World Fringe Network
Anyone who has connections to UK small-scale touring is welcome to sign up > Register Here
About The Circuit
The Circuit is a UK-wide network and collaboration space, owned by all, led by UK Fringe Festivals and World Fringe. It’s designed to connect and strengthen the routes that make small-scale touring possible across the UK.
Theatres, festivals, rural touring, community venues, and outdoor spaces are vital to the UK’s live performance ecosystem. But touring opportunities have become fragmented, and artists face increasing barriers.
The Circuit exists to join the dots, supporting touring to be more viable, collaborative, and sustainable for everyone involved.
This is not about starting from scratch, the infrastructure exists. The Circuit is about better connections, shared resources, and collective action to support artists, presenters, festivals, and audiences.
The Circuit Aims
- Strengthen cross-sector touring and connections between fringe festivals, venues, rural touring, and touring partners.
- Explore regional and thematic touring routes to support longer, more efficient tours.
- Share knowledge and practical solutions for small-scale touring, including contracts, marketing, artist support, and inclusivity.
- Champion sustainable, accessible, and financially viable touring opportunities for all.
- Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the touring sector.
- Build a collective voice to influence funders, policymakers, and regional stakeholders.
Map Key
Green Houses – Studio Theatres, Purple stars – London Fringe Theatres, Pins – Fringe Festivals (coloured by month), Orange Stars – Rural Touring Schemes.
Note: This map is not comprehensive – additions and omissions are being updated all the time, get in touch if you have suggestions or edits.
Touring Guide
This guide is for artists and companies planning to tour across the UK and Ireland. It focuses on small-scale touring spaces such as Fringe Festivals, London Fringe venues, and Rural Touring. It includes suggested touring routes, festival groupings by month, and practical tips for building an efficient, affordable tour.
UK Fringe Network
The UK Fringe Network is a collective of independent fringe festivals working together to strengthen communication, share resources, and support the needs of artists and producers. It exists to amplify the voice of the fringe sector, foster collaboration across regions, and build a more connected and resilient festival landscape.
Note: Fringe Festivals can be open access, but many of the venues curate their programs. Make sure you know what the programming structure is before you apply.
London Fringe Theatres
London boasts one of the most vibrant fringe theatre scenes in the world. From pub theatres and pop-up venues to black box stages and immersive site-specific spaces, fringe in London is experimental, diverse and daring. With hundreds of small theatres and independent companies producing work year-round, it’s a thriving ecosystem that gives voice to new writing, bold ideas, and underrepresented communities. London’s fringe offers artists opportunities to showcase new work in a global city, reach industry professionals, and connect with an audience seeking innovation and risk-taking on stage.
Note: London Fringe venues vary in size and structure. Some are curated, others hire-based or open access. Research each venue, check costs, and connect with programmers before applying.
Studio Theatres
Studio theatres are intimate, adaptable spaces found across the UK and Ireland in regional theatres, arts centres, and independent venues. They champion new writing, experimental work, and emerging voices—offering artists a platform to take creative risks and connect closely with audiences.
Their smaller scale and flexible format make studio theatres ideal for small-scale and fringe touring, with many programming year-round and supporting artist development through residencies, scratch nights, and curated seasons.
Note: Most studio theatres are curated. Research their programming style and build relationships with venue teams before reaching out.
Rural Touring & NRTF
Rural Touring plays a vital role in bringing high-quality live performance to communities often overlooked by mainstream touring circuits. Schemes connect artists with village halls, libraries, and local venues across the UK, supporting cultural access and audience development in remote areas. The National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) champions this work nationally, offering resources, advocacy, and a touring network that complements and strengthens The Circuit’s cross-sector goals.
Note: It is best to build relationships with Rural Touring Schemes directly. Tailor your emails and proposals to their requirements.
Suggested Touring Routes
MAY–JUNE – Spring Circuit from South to North
- Brighton Fringe (East Sussex, May–June)
- Wandsworth Arts Fringe (London, May)
- Barnes Fringe (London, May)
- Salisbury Fringe Spring Fest (Wiltshire, May)
- Scarborough Fringe (North Yorkshire, June)
- Barnstaple Fringe TheatreFest (Devon, June)
- Liverpool Fringe (Merseyside, June)
- Morecambe Fringe (Lancashire, June)
- Melton Mowbray Fringe (Leicestershire, June)
JULY – Ireland to Northern England
- Galway Fringe (Galway, Ireland)
- Ballina Fringe (Mayo, Ireland)
- Llangollen Fringe (Wales)
- Greater Manchester Fringe (Manchester)
- Durham Fringe (North East England)
JULY – Southern England Loop
- Deptford X (London)
- Fuse International (Kingston)
- Guildford Fringe (Surrey)
- Chichester Fringe (West Sussex)
- Bedford Fringe (Bedfordshire)
- Buxton Festival Fringe (Derbyshire)
AUGUST – National Tour toward Edinburgh
- Sidmouth Fringe (Devon)
- Ludlow Fringe (Shropshire)
- Camden Fringe (London)
- Gravesham Fringe (Kent)
- Fringe by the Sea (North Berwick)
- Edinburgh Fringe (Scotland)
Planning Tips
- Timing: Start applying in autumn or winter. Many festivals close entries by March.
- Budgeting: Share travel and accommodation where possible. Look for venue deals and artist passes.
- Marketing: Prepare press photos, a trailer, and clear social handles. Use hashtags and venue promo tools.
- Tech: Keep your tech simple and adaptable. Bring your own operator if needed.
- Networking: Use each festival to connect with other artists and programmers.
How to Join
Register for the next meeting and stay connected with The Circuit:
Your Privacy Matters
Your information will be stored securely in a private Google Drive folder, accessible only to World Fringe directors. It will never be shared, sold, or distributed. We use this data only for communication about The Circuit and related meetings. Contact us if you’d like your data removed.
Supported by Tysers Live Insurance Brokers
We’re delighted to be supported by Tysers Live. As one of the UK’s leading entertainment insurance brokers specialising in theatre, festivals, events and venues, Tysers Live bring unrivalled expertise. Their experts can offer The Circuit and World Fringe members free, no-obligation one-to-one surgeries for anyone seeking guidance insurance & risk management. Contact – holly.lombardo@tysers. com
Tysers Live are also supporters of UK Theatre Awards, Society of London Theatres and The Stage Awards