Words by Smiley Team
In the heart of Bath, lies the most beautiful dedicated theatre for children in the world – The Egg.
It was designed in consultation with children, and built by the patrons of Theatre Royal Bath, as a welcoming and inspiring place filled with quality theatre.
The dedicated young people’s theatre has now launched the Wonderfund to enable more school children to see live performances for free across 2022.
As schools’ resources have become even more stretched during the pandemic, teachers need support to return to theatres with their classes. Recently, the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology stressed the vital importance of prioritising “children’s access to educational, social and recreational activities”, like theatre, to aid their mental wellbeing.
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The Egg tells Smiley News: “The UK has one of the worst mental wellbeing records for children in the world. But there is hope and we’re asking for the public’s help through the Wonderfund.
“Research from all over the world shows that theatre, and the arts more generally, can be a place where children can develop skills of critical reflection and empathy. Theatre can uniquely present ideas introduced in the classroom in a new way, which is great for different types of learners and for putting themes into context.”
However, children’s theatre engagement is currently declining nationwide faster than all other creative activities, with only 25% of 5 to 10 year olds engaging in theatre, a figure that has halved since 2009.
As a charity, Bath’s Egg Theatre is asking for the public’s help to make 2022 the year where all the barriers to school trips are removed, enabling as many children as possible to experience live performance and access additional resources to enhance their education.
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As well as free tickets, the scheme will also help to provide transport and teacher support to those schools with the highest levels of deprivation.
Kate Cross, director of The Egg, said: “A first trip to the theatre can change someone’s life forever. It can mould a career or define leisure time. It can help them in their exams or in their relationships.
“At The Egg we are so sure of this, through testament, data, instinct and years of experience that we urgently want to give this opportunity to as many young people as possible. In our young communities, we are witnessing a happiness deficit and we want theatre to top that up.
“But resources are needed to take a child to the theatre. The Wonderfund will provide logistical and financial support which we promise will make a difference to our local school community.”
Any state school can now apply to benefit from the Wonderfund in 2022 by contacting The Egg and those in the greatest need will receive additional support and finance for eligible performances.
Find out more about the Wonderfund and donate at theatreroyal.org.uk/wonderfund.
