Producers of the West End musical Wicked have announced a further £10,000 donation in tickets to theatre works!, continuing their partnership with the UK charity for a third consecutive year.
The initiative builds on a successful two-year collaboration that has already supported more than 1,000 school children through free or subsidised bursaries.
The donated tickets are for the West End production of Wicked and form part of the show’s Wicked Active Learning education programme, which allows young people to engage with the production alongside curriculum-linked resources.
In addition to Wicked’s year-round reduced-price education tickets, schools can apply to theatre works! for financial support to attend Tuesday to Thursday performances during term time.
The programme is designed to ensure theatre visits are embedded within learning, combining live performance with structured educational outcomes.
The tickets will specifically support children and young people outside the M25 who face economic and social barriers to accessing live theatre.
Since its founding five years ago, theatre works! has enabled more than 33,000 children and young people in the UK and US to attend theatre performances through partnerships with schools and youth organisations.
A teacher from Academy of St Francis of Assisi in Liverpool said: “The educational and emotional value of the experience was clear. Not only did students enjoy a world-class production, but many also gained new perspectives on social justice, self-expression, and empathy. The trip has also sparked renewed interest in the performing arts among our students, with some already asking about future theatre opportunities”.
Sharon Studer, Co-founder and Chair of theatre works!, said “‘For over a thousand students supported by theatre works!, seeing Wicked has been far more than a memorable day out. It has been a first encounter with live theatre and a chance to discover the imagination, craft and hard work behind a major production. The post-show Q&As that many attend have been an especially valuable part of that experience, helping young people understand that theatre is created by many different talents, both on stage and behind the scenes. Wicked’s support has also helped raise awareness of theatre works! and our mission to make these opportunities available to children who might otherwise be excluded. We are deeply thankful to the whole Wicked team for their continued support.'”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
