NORTHERN STAGE, the largest producing theatre in the North East, is aiming to open access to theatre this festive season by offering free tickets to A Christmas Carol for children in receipt of free school meals.
The Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) scheme, funded by Newcastle City Council, will allow children to enjoy the production of A Christmas Carol, a hot meal and take part in enrichment storytelling activities. This forms part of the theatre’s commitment to addressing the show’s themes of inequality, compassion and the importance of community, which are as relevant to families in the North East today as they were when A Christmas Carol was first written in the 19th century.
Alongside the HAF programme, Northern Stage is also a Warm Space, offering a warm welcome and a place for people to come together with affordably priced food and drink options, as well as its Pay it Forward scheme which will see hundreds of young people and families who might otherwise not be able to attend the theatre, enjoying A Christmas Carol.
The North East has the highest levels of child poverty in UK, with a £55m package to tackle the issue being announced at the first Child Poverty Summit held in November 2024.
Natalie Ibu, artistic director at Northern Stage said, “Charles Dickens’ commentary on society is unfortunately still more relevant than ever, with the cost-of-living crisis, child poverty and rising winter fuel payments all disproportionally affecting North East families. As an organisation we are committed to giving access to creativity and sharing some Christmas joy with all families, school groups and young people from across our vibrant region, while using theatre as a tool for change.”
“We want to ensure that household income does not impact on people’s ability to visit and get involved with our activities here at Northern Stage the Christmas. We know that giving more people the opportunity to engage in theatre and the arts can have numerous health and well-being benefits for individuals, while addressing societal issues at the same time.”
The Pay it Forward initiative allows audience members to make a donation either when buying a ticket or after a show. This donation helps cover the cost of a ticket for someone who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend a performance.
Natalie continued, “Through Pay It Forward, we are able to distribute tickets to local schools, charities and community groups, ensuring that those who may not otherwise be able to afford to can experience the joy of live theatre. We’re excited to welcome a group of children from St Oswald’s Hospice to our under 5s show, WOLF! via the pay it forward scheme. They will get the opportunity to meet the cast and do a touch tour of the set before enjoying the show. The generosity of our patrons who have taken part in the Pay It Forward initiative helps us to make visits like this possible and removes financial barriers, ensuring that theatre is accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their circumstances. This reflects our belief that theatre has the power to transform lives, and that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in the cultural life of the city.”
Scrooge is returning to the North East this festive season and is meaner and greedier than ever in this classic reimagining of A Christmas Carol (30 Nov – 4 Jan). Adapted by Karen Louise Hebden and directed by Northern Stage artistic director Natalie Ibu, Charles Dickens’ classic story of ghosts, greed, and goodwill promises festive magic, music, and merriment, with an international cast promising circus, illusion and spectacular ghosts for children and their grown-ups.
Tickets are now on sale for A Christmas Carol at Northern Stage.
For more information and to book tickets visit https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/a-christmas-carol/