update report - Spring 2023
theatre works! has had a strong start to 2023.
After sponsoring over 1100 students to experience live theatre in 2022 we have already agreed grants for nearly 2000 students in 2023. For many of the students, it is their first experience of the theatre.
Here are some comments from our attendees:
"It was incredible, the thought that went into it was amazing!"
Year 10 Student, Wyedean School, Chepstow An Inspector Calls, New Theatre Cardiff
"Exciting! Wonderful! Happy, but you know, extreme!"
Children from Robinswood Primary School, An Unexpected Twist, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham
Our big news is we’re expanding tw! across the UK. If 30% of a school’s students are on free school meals, any school outside Greater London can apply to the charity for free or discounted theatre tickets.
We are also expanding how we distribute tickets to children. Theatres can now apply directly to us and distribute tickets through their network of schools. The same criteria, 20% of the students on free school meals, apply to theatres.
We are now working with a range of theatre and drama networks across the UK to spread our message. We are particularly grateful to Lucy Bellingham of We Teach Drama, who introduced us to a number of drama school networks.
We were disheartened to see recent government statistics showing that 22% of UK school children receive free school meals. To be eligible, a household’s annual income cannot exceed £7,500 after tax, excluding benefits. We believe it is important to give all children access to the arts, not just those from better off families.
Finally, many thanks to all our kind supporters who have helped bring theatre into the lives of so many children.
Get a signed Tom Stoppard play
We’d like to remind you of the opportunity to receive a signed Tom Stoppard play. All donors who give £1,000 or more are offered a signed copy of either Arcadia, Travesties, or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Ticket update
Discounted tickets through theatres
We are currently working with three theatres, the Cheltenham Everyman, Southampton Mayflower, and Cirencester’s The Barn. We expect to add two more in the next few weeks. Our partnership takes different forms. In Southampton for example the theatre provides children with three points of contact: the play, a backstage tour, and a related workshop.
At the Cheltenham Everyman, the theatre provides qualifying schools with free tickets but schools lacked funds to pay for transport. We stepped in and paid for the buses.
Video
The fun image at the top of this newsletter is from a recent Cheltenham Everyman performance. We supported three schools to attend the performance with 81 students.
A local Cheltenham film company, Squashed Robot, created a video about our charity that is now available on our website. We are very grateful for their big contribution to making this happen.
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