WHEN was the last time you went to the theatre? If the answer is “never” or “not for years” then you could be just what the Theatre Royal is looking for.

It needs volunteers to help shape the programming of tomorrow. Interestingly, theatre-lovers need not apply; this is for those who don’t go to the theatre.

The scheme is titled Visionari, which is fitting. It is one of many visionary ventures carried out by the Theatre Royal. Its TakeOver Festival is now a well-established event, allowing the under-26s to bring a youthful perspective to everything from theatre management to programming and production. Its community plays, such as the recent York Suffragettes play, Everything Is Possible, allow ordinary people a chance to work with professionals and sample theatrical life.

The task of Visionari is an admirable one – in theory. The aim is to broaden the theatre’s audience. By having an outsider’s eye involved in the development and programming of the theatre, the hope must be that it will reach out to more people in York.

How this will work in practice remains to be seen. Applicants have to get through a group interview then attend ten workshops over a year. The initial commitment is for two years. That seems a big ask for people not especially interested in theatre.

Surely an easier way to attract wider audiences would be to lower ticket prices. Cheaper deals for families and free admission for school children would be one way of filling seats with people from different walks of life. Back in Shakespeare’s day, theatre was for everyone. Let’s get back to that.