Leading theatres could be forced to spice up their traditional diet of drama to make way for more audience-friendly laser and acrobatic shows.

The Arts Council of England is reportedly threatening to cut back on public funding if they resist the change.

It fears that drama is losing its appeal among modern audiences and is anxious to tempt more people back onto seats.

As part of a wide-ranging review, theatres will be asked to look at the merits of "live theatre", using video and laser displays or acrobatic spectacles.

Up to 50 theatres could be be affected, including famous names like the Bristol Old Vic, the Royal Exchange in Manchester, and Nottingham Playhouse.

The chief executive of the Arts Council, Peter Hewitt, confirmed that a review of how to get bigger and younger audiences is under way.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, "The theatre of the future has to be relevant. It has to engage audiences in a very direct and immediate way. We need theatre which brings new audiences and traditional audiences into the theatre for the longer term.

"There is a challenge for everyone working in theatre - to make sure theatre of the future takes audiences with it, and that is what the review which we're carrying out is partly addressing."

Caricature

However Mr Hewitt denied that theatres would be forced to throw out classics in favour of technology-based stage shows.

"It's a complete caricature to say we only want theatre which involves laser or video or new technology," he said.

The funding body is reported to have contacted hundreds of leading theatrical figures, including Sir David Hare, to gauge their views on the way forward.

But the actress Vanessa Redgrave said she was alarmed that she and her fellow actors, and the regional theatres themselves, had not been consulted about the review. Neither had school teachers, who had a vital role to play in ensuring young people's interest in theatre.

"What concerns me is that there's no theatre in education, I haven't done a schools' workshop since 1995, ticket prices are too high, no one is getting paid properly in the theatre, and scripts are not being funded," said Ms Redgrave.

"The Arts Council should be addressing that as a means of building younger audiences."