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Half a million tickets to lure young to drama
Louise Jury10.02.09
Rupert Penry-Jones and Sheridan Smith today launched a £2.5 million scheme to get young people into theatre.
The star of Spooks and the actress from Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps kick-started A Night Less Ordinary which will give away more than 500,000 free tickets to under 26-year-olds.
The scheme was unveiled at the Donmar Warehouse. It is being organised by Arts Council England with extra money from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Penry-Jones said: "Live theatre at its best is a magical experience - it sucks you in and makes you forget everything around you. So I'm all for a scheme that encourages more young people to share that magic.
"A Night Less Ordinary is exactly what they need. With the recession making nights out more of a luxury, here's something really different young people can enjoy for free."
Gavin & Stacey star Ms Smith, who has appeared in West End shows including Into The Woods at the Donmar, said theatre was unlike anything else.
"There is something so amazing about going to the theatre, you lose yourself in the moment," she said. "I'm really pleased to be supporting a scheme that gives so many young people the opportunity to experience that for themselves. Or as Janet might say, 'Two pints of lager and a free ticket please!'" Other famous names are also supporting the initiative. Rome star James Purefoy said: "Live theatre is like a secret you want to share - exciting, involving and different every time you tell the story. The beauty of this is that you can try different shows on for size and see what suits best, for free."
Theatres taking part include the Almeida, Battersea Arts Centre, the Bush, the Donmar, the Royal Court, National, Trafalgar Studios and the Rose at Kingston.
