SYLVIA to Host Largest Ever UK Education Matinee at Royal Albert Hall
Olivier Award winner Beverley Knight stars in the Suffragette musical, with tickets priced at £10 per student.
Go Live Theatre has announced the largest education performance ever staged in the UK with the Olivier Award-nominated musical production Sylvia on Friday 13 November at the Royal Albert Hall, where the production concludes its run.
Thanks to the support of The Garek Trust, Go Live Theatre will be able to welcome almost 5000 children and young people to the performance, continuing Go Live's commitment to improving access to live theatre for young people. Each ticket will be priced at £10.
The critically acclaimed musical Sylvia tells the story of activist Sylvia Pankhurst and her role in the Suffragette movement, set against a soundtrack blending hip hop, funk, soul and gospel. The production stars Olivier Award winner Beverley Knight, with direction and choreography by Kate Prince.
Sita McIntosh, CEO of Go Live Theatre today said, "We are thrilled to be staging our largest ever education matinee with the acclaimed production Sylvia at the Royal Albert Hall this November. We know first-hand the lasting impact that live theatre can have on young people - with thanks to The Garek Trust nearly 5000 children and young people have the opportunity to experience this inspiring production.”
Beverly Knight, Patron of Go Live Theatre, commented, “It's such a privilege to be a part of such a landmark event. To welcome nearly 5000 young people into the Royal Albert Hall to experience the power of live theatre through Sylvia feels incredibly special - and there could not be a more fitting venue for a story about courage, activism and freedom.”
Eleanor Lloyd, co-Producer of Sylvia, added, “Sylvia has had a remarkable journey from The Old Vic to a UK Tour and now finishing at the Royal Albert Hall with the biggest education matinee ever staged in the UK. The story of Sylvia Pankhurst remains as powerful and relevant as ever, and this production offers young people an inspiring and accessible way into that history. We're honoured to collaborate with Go Live Theatre, whose work continues to transform access to live performance for thousands of young people.”
The Royal Albert Hall holds a significant place in suffragette history, having hosted more than 20 suffragette rallies and some of the movement's most important speeches in the fight for women's right to vote. Suffragettes were subsequently banned from the Hall between 1913 and 1918, making Sylvia's arrival at the venue especially resonant.
Since its inception as Mousetrap Theatre Projects in 1997, Go Live Theatre, has enabled more than 275,000 children and young people to experience the joy of live theatre, with that number growing exponentially. The company work with those from disadvantaged and/or vulnerable backgrounds for whom a trip to the theatre is out of reach because of economic or physical reasons or quite simply, relevance. Working on a wide variety of programmes with producers and venues, Go Live Theatre exist to change that.
Go Live Theatre are committed to cultivating the next generation of audiences and/or creative talent by igniting a passion for theatre from an early age through trips to the theatres, impactful programmes and inspiring workshops.
The organisation presented the very first relaxed performance of a West End show back in 2012 with Shrek the Musical and since then have been able to offer a multitude of shows including Hamilton, The Devil Wears Prada, Sister Act, Wicked, Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, 101 Dalmatians, The Play That Goes Wrong, and MAMMA MIA!.
