STOMP & Mousetrap Theatre Projects Partner for Free Performance for 13 Year-Olds

As part of STOMP's continuing 13th Birthday celebrations in London's West End, the show's producers have invited Mousetrap Theatre Projects to organise a special free schools' matinee for 13 year-olds on Monday 12 October at the Ambassadors Theatre. The performance will begin at 2.00pm, followed by a Q&A with the cast.

Steve McNicholas, co-creator of STOMP, said, "we wanted to find a different way to celebrate 13 years in the West End, and what could be better than opening our doors to other 13 year old Londoners?"

Mousetrap has invited groups of 13 year-olds from state-maintained mainstream schools with 40% or more of their pupils receiving free school meals to attend the free matinee. They have also invited 13 year-olds from schools who have previously not participated in a Mousetrap theatre trip.

STOMP won the 'Most Dazzling Choreography' Award at this year's Mousetrap Awards, which are the only theatre awards voted for by young people, who also create the categories.

Since 1997, Mousetrap Theatre Projects has been committed to providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people and young people with special needs to attend outstanding theatre productions across London. Last year, Mousetrap took more than 16,000 young people to the theatre. The charity identifies young people through London state secondary schools (mainstream and special), families and youth clubs. It now runs 18 access, creative learning and youth engagement programmes to further an interest in theatre and make it more accessible for young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend theatre.

"Mousetrap Theatre Projects is thrilled to offer free tickets to the fantastic production of STOMP to 13 year olds in schools across London to celebrate the show's 13th birthday. We have used this opportunity to reach out to schools in some of London's most disadvantaged communities as well as schools that have never accessed our programmes. We feel this is the ideal show for this age group and will be a wonderful and memorable first theatre experience for these students," said Susan Whiddington, Director of Mousetrap Theatre Projects.

A teacher at Mayfield School, Dagenham, Essex said, "Once I was forwarded the email from the head of faculty, there was no choice but to apply. It was far too good of an opportunity to pass up. I think it is so important for our students to get the opportunity to see live stage performances as many have never experienced this. Especially a show as unique as STOMP. For the show to be free for the students is amazing. On behalf of the students and staff of Mayfield School I would like to say a big THANK YOU!"

STOMP, created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas was first performed in 1991 in Edinburgh. The show played Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1994 and won the Olivier Award for Best Choreography, before opening in New York, where it is now celebrating its 21st birthday. The European company was created in 1997 and began its London run at the Vaudeville Theatre in 2002, transferring to the Ambassadors Theatre in 2007.

One of Britain's greatest exports, STOMP has toured the globe for 22 years, playing over 20 thousand performances to more than 12 million people in 53 countries on 6 continents. There are currently four STOMP companies performing worldwide: one on tour in North America, another throughout Europe and the rest of the world, one in New York, and one in London.

The cast of STOMP in London currently includes Omari Carter, Nigel Clarke, Simone Clarke, Hugo Cortes, Paul Gunter, Melanie Joseph, James Lane, Laetitia Lawrence, Serena Morgan, Paul Bend, Rob Shaw, Adam Buckley, Meloné M'Kenzy, Andrew Patrick, Paul Russell, Jasper Valentine and Simeon Weedall.

STOMP is presented in London by Yes/No Productions and Glynis Henderson Productions Limited.