Northampton’s Royal and Derngate gave more than £4,000 worth of tickets to 250 children in the local community over Christmas 2016.
The theatre’s Unforgettable Gift campaign and the generosity of theatregoers meant that parties of disadvantaged children were able see performances of the panto Jack and the Beanstalk or Peter and the Starcatcher, the European première of the prequel to Peter Pan.
Royal and Derngate chief executive Martin Sutherland said, “we want to give our heartfelt thanks to our audience members who’ve been so generous. They made Christmas special for so many Northamptonshire children who might not normally be able to attend the theatre.”
One of the groups that benefited from the scheme was the Springs Family Centre who took a group of children to see Jack and the Beanstalk. Clive Ireson, Springs development manager, commented, “the kids had a great time.
“A lot of them have never been to the theatre before or ever seen a pantomime, so it’s given them something really special to remember.”
Other community groups that enjoyed outings to Royal and Derngate included Belling Youth Group, Delapre Dragons, Eve Domestic Abuse and Violence Help, Little Springers Nursery, Northamptonshire Deaf Children, Northamptonshire Flower, Restore, the Sikh Community Centre and Youth Group, Spencer Bridge Food Bank, the Victoria Centre and Zim Women.