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Marlowe to launch free theatre initiative
A whooping £50,000 worth of tickets will be given to under 26 year olds for shows at the Marlowe Theatre, under the Arts Council of England free theatre initiative. Marlowe is one of ten regional theatres to receive the grant, meant to encourage young people to become frequent theatre goers. The scheme is expected to launch on February 16 with a week of special activities.
Theatre Director Mark Everett was upbeat about the award: “This award represents a significant statement of support for the Marlowe’s long running policy of encouraging young people to get involved in the performing arts.
“It comes at a crucial time, with the redevelopment of the existing Marlowe expected to start in 2009. Young people will be at the heart of the new theatre and this award will support vital early work to develop these new audiences.”
Head of Performing Arts at Arts Council England, South East, Judith Hibberd, said: “At the Arts Council, we believe that the arts have the power to inspire and transform lives, which is why our mantra is great art for everyone.
“For that mission to become reality we must make it easy for young people to experience powerful and inspiring art, show them that the arts are for them and hopefully help create a new generation of arts audiences.”
The refurbishment of the Marlowe Second Space wing coincides with the free tickets initiative, and this will allow the theatre to pilot, and ultimately build a young audience for the work it will present in the Second Space, which has been designed to become the heart of the new theatre.
Attendance at arts events traditionally drops in the 18-26 age range and so this initiative is specifically targeted at young adults and is designed to reach new audiences and also develop a new generation of arts attendees.
Other award recipients of the free tickets grants include the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, Barbican and the Chichester Festival Theatre. 618, 000 tickets are being given away nationwide.
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