Pay It
Forward: Northern Stage supporters gift festive show to schools, hospitals and
care homes across the North East this Christmas
Online
Saturday 12th – Thursday 31st
December 2020
This December, Northern Stage and Kitchen Zoo are making a
brand new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic folktale, The
Emperor’s New Clothes for audiences to experience at home from 12-31
December. And thanks the generosity of Northern Stage’s supporters, more than
22,000 North East school children will enjoy the show for free.
A generous donation from the Hoults Family Grassroots Fund
at the Community Foundation means that thousands of North East school children,
as well as hospitals and care homes across the region, will be able to enjoy a
festive treat this December, despite not being able to visit the theatre.
Karen Turland from Lobley Hill Primary School in Gateshead
said, !It is an absolutely fantastic thing for Northern Stage to do this year
when the children and schools have had such a hard year. We really appreciate
it. It’s just such a kind and lovely gesture.”
Peta Hoult and her son Charlie, who is MD of Hoults Yard
Hub in Newcastle, visited the theatre to see rehearsals for The Emperor’s New
Clothes and hear how their generous donation will benefit pupils at the
region’s schools, with children able to watch the play in their classroom
bubbles before the end of term.
During the visit, Peta Hoult chatted with new Northern
Stage Artistic director Natalie Ibu about her lifelong love of theatre and of
the joy it can bring in challenging times, recalling the time she performed on
the main stage at Northern Stage (then called the Newcastle Playhouse) while
studying Creative Arts at Northumbria University.
Peta Hoult said, "As a family, we’ve seen the power of theatre to inspire and change lives. My aunt ran a theatre in Bristol throughout WW2 and long received letters from members in the audience who had enjoyed the escape it gave to daily challenges. The Little Theatre also gave a vital springboard to actors who went on to entertain the nation. Covid has taken a terrible toll on mental health, so we wish to see Northern Stage continue its role as a civic hub to reflect society’s journey through drama.”
Natalie Ibu said, !We are all very thankful for the Hoult
Family support of Northern Stage. Christmas promises to be a rather different
celebration for all of us this year but thanks to the generosity of Peta and
her family, we are able to share some festive theatrical magic with children
across the region this December.”
Su Legg, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, Community Foundation
for Tyne and Wear said, “It is fantastic that the grant from the Hoult Family
Grassroots Fund at the Community Foundation has enabled Northern Stage to
create this inspired project that will help keep the spirit of Christmas alive
for many children who might otherwise miss out on many of their usual Christmas
activities.”
To share the gift of theatre, donations of any amount can
be made to the Northern Stage Pay it Forward appeal, an initiative to provide
creative, fun experiences for local children and young people who wouldn’t
otherwise be able to take part in the arts www.northernstage.co.uk/donate
The
Emperor’s New Clothes will be streamed online from Saturday 12 – Thursday
31 December.
Tickets are £15 per household. Book online at www.northernstage.co.uk or call 0191
230 5151.
Photos: Pamela Raith
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