The Importance of Theatre

James - Chairperson

When I speak about the importance of theatre I am not speaking about a pastime or a pleasant evening. I am speaking about one of the oldest and most powerful ways that human beings understand one another. Theatre holds up a mirror to society. It shows us who we are, and it allows us to imagine who we could be.

Theatre is the meeting place of imagination and reality. It is where words and movement and music combine to stir empathy, to raise questions and to spark joy. It is not an extra. It is vital to the health of a community.

The reality

Theatre has a reach and impact that cannot be ignored.

• The creative industries contribute over £108 billion to the UK economy each year, with theatre standing as one of the most visible and influential parts of that contribution (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

• Before the pandemic, more than 34 million people attended live theatre in the UK every year, showing that it is one of the most popular cultural experiences in the nation (UK Theatre and SOLT)

• Schools that make theatre and arts a central part of their curriculum see higher attainment across subjects, greater student wellbeing and stronger community engagement (Cultural Learning Alliance)

Theatre is not on the edges of life. It is at the centre. It builds economies, it shapes education and it strengthens culture.

When theatre works

The true impact of theatre is not only measured in figures. It is measured in the way it changes people.

• Theatre develops empathy, allowing audiences to step into the shoes of others and see the world through new eyes (American Alliance for Theatre and Education)

• Students who take part in drama gain confidence, resilience, communication skills and the ability to work as a team (Education Endowment Foundation)

• Communities with strong arts and theatre programmes report higher levels of wellbeing, cohesion and trust (Arts Council England)

Theatre is a school for humanity. It teaches us to listen. It teaches us to imagine. It teaches us to care.

Theatre at Actcessible

At Actcessible we place theatre at the heart of everything because we believe it is the most powerful tool we have for change.

• We bring theatre into schools, hospitals, care homes and community spaces so that no one is left out of its impact

• We use theatre workshops and lessons to open up inclusive methods, creating spaces where communication and collaboration thrive

• We extend theatre into the digital world with games and resources that take its reach beyond the stage and into daily life

Theatre here is not a luxury. It is the foundation that allows inclusion, education and creativity to grow.

Looking forward

Theatre matters because it is human. It matters because it allows us to laugh, to weep, to question and to hope together. It matters because it creates a stage where every voice can be heard and every story can be told.

At Actcessible we believe theatre belongs everywhere. It belongs in schools where it can inspire children. It belongs in hospitals and care homes where it can bring comfort and connection. It belongs in communities where it can strengthen bonds and spark joy.

The importance of theatre is not a theory. It is lived every time the curtain rises, every time a story is told and every time an audience breathes together. That is why we are committed to making theatre accessible for all. Because theatre is not just the best of the arts. It is the beating heart of society.

James 

Chairperson at Actcessible