[L-R] Go Live Theatre Projects ambassadors Hannah Lowther, Philip Joel, Rob Madge, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Joel Montague. Picture: Alex Brenner
Unveiled by Mousetrap patron, stage and screen star Hugh Bonneville, in the Delfont Room at the Prince of Wales Theatre, the change reflects the 25-year-old charity’s continued commitment to enrichening the lives of young people through theatre.
Announcing the change, the charity’s chief executive Susan Whiddington said: “I am extremely proud of all that our charity has achieved in the last 25 years for disadvantaged young people, those with additional needs and low-income families, working hand in hand with the theatre industry. Over this time, we’ve touched the lives of nearly 250,000 children and young people. As we look to the future, we are staying true to our mission to use the power of theatre to create inspiring experiences and unlock possibilities for young people.
“Our name change to Go Live Theatre Projects reflects the important thread that runs through all of our work with schools, families and youth groups – offering young people and families the special opportunity to attend ‘live’ theatre performances.”
The organisation is also welcoming a new chair, Charles Prideaux. Currently group head of strategy and solutions at Schroders, Prideaux said: “I am excited to be the incoming chair of this vibrant charity that has been running for over 25 years. I have huge admiration and respect for its work, particularly for helping some of London’s most marginalised young people to develop positive skills through theatre making and performance.
“I very much look forward to taking the helm of this pioneering charity as it enters a new chapter with our new name. Go Live encapsulates one of our core strengths, which is enabling young people to experience the magic of live performances.”
West End star Georgina Onuorah was one of a number of new ambassadors unveiled by the charity to coincide with the name change. Soon to appear as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! at the Wyndham’s Theatre, Onuorah discovered her love of theatre when she and her family participated in the charity’s ground-breaking family theatregoing scheme, Family First Nights.
Paying tribute to the charity, Onuorah said: “Mousetrap helped provide me with some of my earliest experiences of live theatre. To now be asked to be an ambassador for them is genuinely an honour.”
The new ambassadors who will work alongside the charity’s longstanding patrons include Joe Foster, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Philip Joel, Lucie Jones, Hannah Lowther, Rob Madge, Joel Montague, Willy Mukendi and Shaun Tossell.
Dedicated to bringing the magic of theatre into the lives of young people, the organisation opens the doors to all that London’s vibrant theatre scene has to offer – particularly for young people with limited means, support or special needs – and encourages participants to engage creatively with their theatre experiences.
Angela Thomas
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