International Theatre Co-Production and General Management

International Co-Production Management

Theatre does not respect borders, and neither should your general manager. James Steel Productions manages international co-productions, transfers and touring productions that move between the UK, the United States and markets worldwide.

International work introduces layers of complexity that domestic productions simply do not have: multiple currencies, cross-border employment law, immigration requirements for touring companies, international rights and licensing, tax treaty implications, and co-production agreements that must satisfy parties in different jurisdictions. We navigate all of it.

UK to Broadway and Off-Broadway Transfers

The UK-to-Broadway pipeline has produced some of the most commercially successful productions in theatre history. But the transfer process is fraught with financial, legal and operational challenges that can derail even the most promising shows.

We work with UK producers looking to transfer work to New York, managing the transition from UK budgeting and employment structures to the American system governed by different union agreements, venue deal structures and audience development approaches. We also support American producers bringing work to the West End, providing the UK-side general management that ensures compliance with SOLT standards and UK employment law.

What International Management Covers

• Multi-currency budgeting and cash flow management
• Cross-border co-production agreement structuring
• International rights and licensing negotiation
• Visa and work permit coordination for touring companies
• International insurance and liability arrangements
• Tax planning across jurisdictions, including withholding tax implications
• Multi-territory marketing strategy coordination
• International venue deal negotiation
• Foreign exchange risk management
• Compliance with local employment law in each territory

International Touring

Touring a production internationally requires a different kind of operational infrastructure. Freight logistics, local crew arrangements, venue technical specifications that vary from country to country, and the financial modelling to determine which territories are commercially viable. We provide the general management framework that makes international touring sustainable.

We have experience with productions touring across multiple territories, and we understand that every market has its own commercial dynamics. What works in London may not translate directly to Sydney, Toronto or Singapore. Our budgeting reflects that reality.

Co-Production Agreements

International co-productions require agreements that protect all parties while remaining commercially workable. We structure co-production deals that clearly define financial contributions, profit participation, territory rights, creative approvals and decision-making authority.

Having managed co-productions involving parties in the UK, US and beyond, we understand the practical tensions that arise when different producing cultures meet. Clear documentation and rigorous financial management prevent misunderstandings from becoming disputes.