Norwich Theatre is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £4,500 from international grant-giving charity, theatre works! enabling all 242 pupils from West Earlham Junior School to attend this year’s pantomime at Norwich Theatre Royal.
theatre works! is committed to widening access to live theatre for children and young people and partners with schools where their funding can have the greatest impact – opening doors for the children who need it most.
Jo Reil, Head of Creative Learning at Norwich Theatre, said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with West Earlham Junior School and theatre works! on this project. It’s a joy to welcome all the pupils to the pantomime, and we hope this will be the first of many opportunities to work together to support more schools in the years ahead.”
Catrin Eyers, Headteacher at West Earlham Junior School, said:
“We at West Earlham Junior School are absolutely delighted that all of our pupils will have the chance to attend the pantomime this year. Experiences like this make such a difference to children’s confidence, imagination, and enjoyment of learning. We’re very grateful to theatre works! and Norwich Theatre for making it happen. We cannot wait to watch the performance.”
This project forms part of Norwich Theatre’s ongoing commitment to working with schools to provide life-changing opportunities for students — from seeing professional theatre, to taking part in workshops, to performing on stage or in the community.
Jo Reil continued; “Looking ahead, Norwich Theatre plans to strengthen and expand its school partnerships in 2026 and beyond. The ambition is to collaborate with a wide range of schools so that as many children as possible can experience theatre as a natural and enriching part of their learning — not as an exception, but as something every child can access.”
Founders, Sharon Studer and Graham Beckett at theatre works! said:
‘Our charity, theatre works!, is delighted to support Norwich Theatre in opening its doors to children and young people who might otherwise miss the chance to experience live performance. For many of these pupils, this will be their first time inside a professional theatre, and that moment can spark a confidence and curiosity that stays with them long after the curtain comes down’