Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Ford Renews Newcastle Theatre Royal Partnership

Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Ford Renews Newcastle Theatre Royal Partnership

Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Ford has renewed its partnership with Newcastle Theatre Royal for a further 12 months, marking the third consecutive year of collaboration between the Gateshead-based company and the iconic cultural venue.

The partnership reinforces Bristol Street Motors’ commitment to supporting the arts and the local community, whilst aligning with its broader sustainability goals.

As part of the continued collaboration, Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Ford will maintain its provision of a state-of-the-art electric or hybrid vehicle, wrapped to promote the theatre’s productions. The first show of the new partnership that will feature on a Ford Puma is Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of), Newcastle Theatre Royal’s first co-production for more than a decade, which premieres at the Grey Street venue on the 19th September, ahead of a nationwide 35-date tour.

Marianne Locatori, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal said: “We are delighted to continue our successful relationship with Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Ford for a third year. As an independent theatre and registered charity which receives no regular funding, partnerships such as this enable us to extend the reach and increase the impact of our work both on and off-stage.”

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Bristol Street Motors, expressed his enthusiasm for the continued association: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Newcastle Theatre Royal for a third year. Our support of the Theatre Royal aligns perfectly with our commitment to community engagement and our goal of fostering cultural enrichment in the region. The theatre plays a vital role in the cultural fabric of Newcastle and the wider region, and we are proud to contribute to its ongoing success both on and off the stage.”

In an exciting new development, and as part of the ongoing partnership, Bristol Street Motors is launching a competition for local Newcastle based primary schools, inviting them to design their vision of a "Theatre of the Future". This initiative is in line with both Bristol Street Motors’ and Newcastle Theatre Royal’s shared commitment to sustainability and the arts.

The competition will see four designs selected, with each winning school receiving 40 tickets to attend this year’s production of The Little Mermaid pantomime on 26th November. Additionally, the winning designs will be displayed in the theatre for the duration of the panto’s run, offering students the unique opportunity to have their artwork showcased in a celebrated cultural venue.

The winners of the competition will be announced in October, and the initiative is set to engage local schools in a creative exploration of sustainability, while also providing them with the chance to enjoy a magical theatre experience.

Marianne Locatori added, “We firmly believe in the power of regional theatre to engage and inspire young people. The competition which celebrates our fantastic pantomime, The Little Mermaid, is a wonderful initiative and fits perfectly with our existing Creative Engagement programmes which support primary school aged children from across the city to access a range of creative opportunities. It also aligns with our strategic commitment to identifying ways to embed environmental sustainability within our future plans. We can’t wait to see the entries!”

Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Ford has generously funded the tickets, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting local communities and fostering a love for the arts among young people.

The partnership between Bristol Street Motors and Newcastle Theatre Royal continues to support the venue’s extensive programme of work, including a diverse range of productions, community outreach initiatives, and educational programmes. Through this renewed collaboration, Bristol Street Motors is helping to ensure that Newcastle Theatre Royal remains a vibrant part of the city’s cultural landscape, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.