John Lyon’s Charity is a firm supporter of the value in Theatre in Education and over the last thirty years we have supported some of the most well-known theatres in London. As well as some substantial capital support from the Charity in the past, vitally there is continuing support for a wide range of projects encompassing access schemes. One charity that has been a cornerstone of bringing the arts and young people together for many years is Mousetrap Theatre Projects.
Mousetrap Theatre Projects was established in 1997 with seed funding from the world’s longest running show, The Mousetrap. The show’s producer at the time, Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, wanted to widen access to the theatre and performing arts to give back and established the charity. The initial aim was to bring those children and young people to the theatre who would not otherwise be able to attend.
Now, Mousetrap Theatre Projects creates and provides a wide range of opportunities for disadvantaged young people and families to attend and experience London’s world-class theatre. Each year, the charity runs a range of subsidised theatre-going programmes and Creative Learning projects which help to make London’s incredible theatre scene accessible to young people, low-income families, mainstream and special state schools and those with additional needs. Under the leadership of founding CEO Susan Whiddington, 215,000 children and young people have benefited over the last 25 years.
Gayle Bryans, Deputy Director at Mousetrap Theatre Projects said: “The arts are vital to the human experience. Participating in drama and theatre-making has powerful effects when used as a tool for personal change. It can transform self- confidence and self-esteem, teach valuable life, work and social skills and improve our mental health. We believe all children and young people should have the chance to experience these benefits, regardless of their background. Unfortunately, many cannot. The high cost is an obvious factor, but just as significant are social and cultural barriers and the lack of support for those who are vulnerable or have special education needs and disabilities. This means that disadvantaged children and young people miss out on the life-enhancing benefits that seeing and participating in theatre bring.”
John Lyon’s Charity has funded Mousetrap since 2001, awarding over £318,000 in grants. Gayle adds: “The funding has supported such a wide range of our theatregoing and theatre education projects, over so many years. It has enabled thousands of children and young people to attend London’s world-class theatre, opening their cultural horizons and giving them new, inspiring experiences. It has funded young people to take part in projects teaching playwriting, composing for musicals, critiquing theatre and learning about the business-side of theatre.”
The pandemic had a detrimental effect on Mousetrap’s delivery due to the closure of West End theatres. Thankfully, as we ease out of lockdown, theatres have once again reopened and Mousetrap has been able to resume its vital service.
John Lyon’s Charity has always strived to protect the arts, to ensure children and young people can experience the beauty of it. As Oscar Wilde once said: “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” John Lyon’s Charity is proud to support Mousetrap and its mission to ensure all children and young people experience the same life-chances as anyone else.