Sir Lenny Henry has launched Let’s Play, the National Theatre’s new national Primary school programme to develop Drama and interest in theatre.
Let’s Play is a new initiative supporting the development of drama and theatre among Primary schools across the country.
The programme commissions new plays with songs and music for children aged 4 to 11 to perform. The programme also provides teachers with high quality training and professional development.
It has been designed to inspire creative learning across the curriculum and to enable the schools to involve children in all aspects of planning and creating a theatre production – from performing to designing costumes to operating sound. It will also encourage more theatre visits and highlight the importance of live theatre and teaching children about Performing Arts.
The National Theatre is aiming to recruit at least 700 schools across the UK to take part in Let’s Play over the next three years.
Sir Lenny Henry, a member of the National Theatre’s board of trustees spoke at the launch: “The National Theatre was founded with a mission to educate as well as entertain and many of us working in the arts can remember an experience at school – a theatre visit, an inspiring teacher, meeting a professional artist – as the ignition to their career or enduring passion for the art form.
“Let’s Play is the perfect scheme to engage Primary school children in the artistic process, it’s an essential part of a young person’s creative and artistic education.”
Speaking at the launch Lisa Burger, NT executive director said: “At the National Theatre we believe that all young people wherever they are in the UK should have the chance to see, make and explore theatre as a core part of their education.
“Let’s Play is the National Theatre’s commitment to supporting schools across the country and to developing teachers’ skills to ensure that the arts, including drama and theatre, remain a vital part of school life.”
For more information, visit nationaltheatre.org.uk/letsplay.
