FARNHAM Maltings has been given a £150,000 funding boost to help bring UK independent theatre to overseas audiences in the Far East and North America.

The money - £156,410 in total - has been awarded by Arts Council England through the International Showcasing fund, a new investment stream to foster cultural exchange while presenting English arts projects on a global stage.

It will see the Maltings expand its successful ‘Caravan’ partnership with the Brighton Festival and Dome, taking the best new theatre from across England to an international audience of festival organisers and programmers.

Gavin Stride, director of the Maltings said: “As part of the programme of work Farnham Maltings delivers to help independent theatre companies we have, since 2008, been developing opportunities for artists to show their work to international festival organisers and producers.

“We have some extraordinary theatre makers in this country, many of whom go on to become international household names.

“This new investment will allow us to present a selection of artists in China and North America, working with Arts Council of England and the British Council.

“Our belief is that, for Farnham Maltings to thrive, we need to remain both local and connect with others who share our ambitions around the world.”

The Arts Council investment comes as recent Department for Culture, Media and Sport figures showed performing arts exports are the fastest growing across all creative industries in the UK.