Go Live Theatre has announced the appointment of David Shields as a new patron, with the actor joining the charity as an industry ambassador.
Shields will support Go Live Theatre’s core initiatives, which focus on widening access to theatre for children and young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
David Shields said: “I am incredibly honoured to become a patron of Go Live. Working with them on Punch was joyful and inspiring, and seeing how well the young people they brought to the theatre reacted to the show only confirmed in my mind the power of theatre; and how vital it is that we get as many kids as we can to attend, especially those that ordinarily don’t have the opportunity or means to.”
Chief Executive of Go Live Theatre Sita McIntosh said: “We are thrilled David has joined our distinguished group of patrons. We witnessed first-hand the impact of his extraordinary performance in Punch on young people, and for some, it could honestly be described as life-changing. During the run David worked closely with Go Live to ensure that young people from less fortunate backgrounds were able to see the show for just £10 and his on-going commitment to accessibility to theatre for young people squares neatly with our mission.”
Shields’ theatre credits include Punch at the Apollo Theatre, Young Vic Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse, for which he received an Olivier nomination for Best Actor.
His television work includes Dear England, Masters of the Air, Black Mirror, The Crown and Doctor Who, alongside film appearances in Judy and The Bad Education Movie.
Since its inception in 1997 as Mousetrap Theatre Projects, Go Live Theatre has enabled more than 275,000 children and young people to experience live theatre.
The charity runs programmes including subsidised Education Matinees, Family First Nights for low-income families, Inclusive Family Days for blind, visually impaired and D/deaf audiences, and Relaxed Performances for those with sensory, learning or physical disabilities.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
