National Theatre shelves European touring after Brexit

The National Theatre has said uncertainty over obtaining visas and work permits in mainland Europe has led it to shelve plans to tour there.

It said, “We are currently not able to confirm any touring commitments in Europe as a result of Brexit legislation”.

UK actors, musicians and crews can’t work freely across the continent following the departure from the EU.

On Tuesday the government said it hopes to open negotiations with individual EU countries to help British artists tour.

Culture minister Caroline Dinenage admitted there were “a lot of obstacles to overcome” after arts figures told a committee of MPs that Brexit had created an “absolute crisis”.

One of those figures, freelance lighting designer Paule Constable, said she had been told that the producers of War Horse would no longer tour the show in Europe.

The National Theatre later clarified that it was in fact another of its acclaimed plays that had been affected.