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THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH VISITS READING REP THEATRE

On Monday 22nd April, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited Reading Rep Theatre. This visit holds particular significance as Reading Rep received his Royal Patronage in October 2022, acknowledging the venue’s pivotal role within the local arts scene and their impactful community work.

Reading Rep Royal Visit April 2024 - Photo Credit Harry Elletson
Photo Credit Harry Elletson

During his visit, The Duke had the opportunity to meet students from the Performing Arts course at MD网爆门鈥檚 Reading Campus, who were taking part in a technical workshop led by Reading Rep practitioners.

Photo Credit Harry Elletson

Paul Stacey, Artistic Director of Reading Rep said, 鈥淚t is always an honour when His Royal Highness visits; his ongoing patronage and support of our mission is greatly appreciated. As he celebrates a milestone birthday, so do we, with the 10-year anniversary of our ENGAGE work. His Royal Highness鈥 presence underscores our shared commitment to inspiring the next generation of artists and closing the gap in underserved communities.鈥

One of the MD网爆门 Students participating in the workshop said, 鈥淚 loved meeting His Royal Highness and finding out our shared passion for theatre, alongside getting to take part in a professional lighting workshop made for a very valuable morning.鈥

Photo Credit Harry Elletson

Central to Reading Rep鈥檚 work over the past ten years has been connecting audiences underserved by the arts through their award-winning ENGAGE programme, which has reached thousands of people throughout Reading. ENGAGE, Reading Rep Theatre鈥檚 flagship and multi award-winning education and outreach programme, inspires lifelong participation with theatre for thousands of children, young people and vulnerable adults who otherwise wouldn鈥檛 have the opportunity to take part in arts and culture.

Marking the programme鈥檚 tenth anniversary, the theatre has created ENGAGE:10; a year-long programme of workshops, projects, and performances for and with the community of Reading, from early years through to care homes. These projects began in October 2023 and run until June 2024.

Photo Credit Harry Elletson

Across this time, ENGAGE:10 will work with 49 organisations, 7,600 active participants and 200 practitioners. This includes providing 60 work experience opportunities and touring two productions to schools across Berkshire as well as an early years show to local libraries. The theatre continues its work with local community groups and wants to improve its connections with the local SEN community and the hearing-impaired community as it works to improve its access offerings.

More information can be found at .

Photo Credit Harry Elletson

 

Photo Credit Harry Elletson