Greenwich theatre and the Almeida theatre are among the venues holding special events from 16 February to celebrate their participation in the government scheme A Night Less Ordinary, which offers free theatre tickets for under 26-year-olds.
Greenwich and the Almeida are included in a consortium of 12 off-West End theatres selected to participate in A Night Less Ordinary, along with the BAC, Bush theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Hampstead theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Royal Court, Soho theatre, Tricycle theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Young Vic. Other participating theatres in the London area include the National Theatre, Trafalgar Studios, the Rose Theatre Kingston, Polka theatre and the Roundhouse.
The Arts Council England scheme, announced by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham last September, will offer 618,000 free tickets to under 26-year-olds for performances in over 200 venues in the UK during a two-year period.
A Night Less Ordinary kicks off on 16 February and to publicise the scheme, Greenwich theatre has organised a series of free activities for 6-19 year-olds taking place in various locations in the borough. The programme comprises workshops on puppetry, masks, stage combat, drumming and percussion, and African theatre.
James Haddrell, Director of Greenwich theatre, commented: “The national free ticket initiative is all about making theatre more accessible, so we couldn’t find a better way of launching the scheme in Greenwich than by offering young people a chance to really get involved, to move out of the audience and get a taste of the excitement and the expertise that goes into each production.”
For more information on all the Greenwich events, call 020 8858 4447.
Meanwhile, the Almeida theatre is hosting a musical theatre masterclass, backstage tours and a Play In A Day created by 15-26 year-olds. Other activities in the capital include post-show talks with the director and cast of Entertaining Mr Sloane at Trafalgar Studios, acting and directing workshops at the Rose Theatre Kingston, a Family Fun Day at Half Moon children’s theatre on 21 February and workshops related to Lee Hall’s The Pitman Painters at the National Theatre.
For more information about A Night Less Ordinary and details of how under 26-year-olds can get free theatre tickets, visit www.anightlessordinary.org.uk
CB