Polka Theatre has pledged to give away 4,000 free school tickets to children from underprivileged areas.
Polka has an established free ticket scheme Curtain Up!, which provides 2,000 primary school children per year with what is often their first experience of theatre.
This is set to double to 4,000 by the end of the summer term.
The Wimbledon-based theatre has hosted 22 schools since its reopening in Autumn 2021, giving performances to 1,700 children.
Lynette Shanbury, Executive Director of Polka Theatre, comments: “This is a tough world for children at the moment – the impact of COVID continues to cause immense stress and anxiety, and inequality is a growing, monstrous issue. Theatre gives children a creative outlet, an escapist ride into the world of stories, a way to reflect on their own world, and a chance to experience emotional journeys together. We want to make sure they don’t miss out”.
In light of the pandemic, the theatre endeavours to remove the financial barrier that schools face by offering travel support, as well as free tickets.
Going forward, the theatre’s aim is to continue to reach at least 4,000 children per year through Curtain Up! in Merton, Croydon, Wandsworth and other surrounding boroughs.
More information about the theatre can be found on Polka’s website and Twitter.
Words by Jake Walker-Charles
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