"THEATRE touring and local theatre structures' was the official theme of last weekend's Arts Council Theatre Review meeting at the Backstage Theatre in Longford. (Touring had already dominated the previous meeting in Monaghan). Among the topics raised were the need for a forum through which companies and venues could co ordinate better; the escalating cost of subsistence payments; and the need for venues to have more flexibility in the use of production funds. The role of a strong theatre programme in revitalising small towns - the IDA reckons it is a factor in persuading international companies to set up shop - was also highlighted.

The next session takes place in University College, Galway, on Saturday, and the theme is "Who is Irish Theatre for?: audiences, communities and theatre makers".