Paines Plough has been awarded a £750,000 grant from the Creative Foundations Fund to renovate its much-loved pop-up theatre Roundabout.
The fund is administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the DCMS and will be dedicated to securing the future of the touring venue.
Originally built in 2014, Roundabout was the brainchild of former Artistic Directors James Grieve and George Perrin.
The theatre was designed by Lucy Osborne and Emma Chapman in collaboration with Charcoalblue and Howard Eaton, and built by Factory Settings.
As the world’s first pop-up, plug-and-play, relocatable in-the-round theatre, Roundabout has spent the past decade touring the UK.
It has delivered intimate, high-quality theatre experiences directly to communities where people live.
To date, the venue has reached more than 150,000 people across over 62 locations.
Its programme has included workshops, community plays, concerts and dance shows, alongside productions by Paines Plough.
Early productions at Roundabout included Duncan Macmillan’s Every Brilliant Thing, first staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before going on to international success, a West End run and a current Broadway run.
Other works first performed in the venue include Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer, Chris Bush’s Hungry, Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs and Miriam Battye’s Strategic Love Play.
The theatre has also hosted acclaimed work by Kelly Jones, Sam Steiner, Nathan Bryon, Nick Payne, Temi Wilkey, Dennis Kelly, Chinonyerem Odimba, Daniel Kitson, Nathan Queeley-Dennis, Somebody Jones, Vinay Patel, Phoebe Eclair-Powell, Middle Child, HOTTER Project, YESYESNONO and The Wardrobe Ensemble.
The upcoming renovations aim to retain the iconic identity of Roundabout while honouring its ten-year legacy.
The work will ensure the theatre can continue to be enjoyed by the widest possible range of audiences for many years to come.
Joint Artistic Directors Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner, alongside Executive Director Claire Simpson, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Arts Council England and the DCMS for this vital support towards renovating Roundabout, our beloved pop-up touring theatre. The grant will allow us to breathe new life into the venue, and ensure it continues to travel the country and platform new work. A huge thanks to James and George and the original team for their inspired vision for a structure which meets audiences where they are; to Lucy and Emma for its iconic design; and the brilliant artists and collaborators who have built, created work in, and advocated for this little space that brings big joy. We can’t wait for what comes next.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want everyone, everywhere to feel a sense of pride about where they come from. Cultural organisations across the West Midlands are important custodians of local identity and play a key role in the story we tell ourselves as a nation.
“Our Arts Everywhere Fund is delivering on our commitment to support cultural assets across the country, increasing access and preserving them for future generations. This is demonstrated by grants announced today that will benefit thirteen culture venues, museums, and library services across the West Midlands.
“Arts and culture are the beating hearts of our communities, they have the power to unite us in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity. We want to harness the power to help us build a brighter future for the people of the West Midlands.”
Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, added: “We want everyone, in every part of the West Midlands to have access to excellent art and culture.
“Our arts organisations, museums and libraries are the beating heart of our communities, so we’re thrilled that £19.7 million is being invested in cultural buildings and equipment across the area.
“This vital investment will ensure our cherished venues are fit for purpose and continue be enjoyed by people for many years to come.”
Renovation work on Roundabout will continue into 2027, with further programming announcements to follow.
Programming for Paines Plough’s 2026 season is expected to be announced soon.
More information can be found here.
