Budding School Artists Enjoy Special Newcastle Panto Performance

Budding School Artists Enjoy Special Newcastle Panto Performance

Newcastle primary school pupils have been ‘submerged’ in fun when they visited Newcastle Theatre Royal for a fin-tastic performance of the spectacular festive pantomime, The Little Mermaid – thanks to four budding artists.

As part of its ongoing partnership with the Theatre, Bristol Street Motors recently invited local primary schools to take part in an exciting new competition to imagine the “Theatre of the Future”.

This initiative reflects Bristol Street Motors’ and Newcastle Theatre Royal’s shared dedication to supporting sustainability and the arts within the community, encouraging young creative minds to envision the future of performance spaces.

Four winning designs were selected from across the city, each brimming with imagination and creativity. These visionary designs were created by:

• Ollie from Bridgewater Primary School
• Kay & Jodi from St Teresa's Catholic Primary School
• Lilly from Sacred Heart Primary School
• Ella from Westerhope Primary School

To celebrate their accomplishments, each winning school was awarded 40 tickets to attend The Little Mermaid on the 26th of November. Additionally, their artwork will be displayed within Newcastle Theatre Royal for the duration of the pantomime’s run, allowing the pupils an incredible opportunity to have their work showcased in one of the North East’s most iconic cultural venues.

Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Ford has generously funded the 160 tickets for the event, as well as covering the cost of coach travel to and from the Newcastle Theatre Royal, ensuring all students can enjoy this unforgettable experience.

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Bristol Street Motors, commented: “We’re thrilled to bring this opportunity to Newcastle’s budding young artists. It’s essential to inspire the next generation’s creativity while supporting their engagement with the arts and sustainable innovation. We’re excited to see their wonderful designs on display in the Newcastle Theatre Royal, enhancing the pantomime experience for everyone.”

Kelly Smith, Head of Development at Newcastle Theatre Royal added: “We know the positive impact a connection with arts and culture can have on communities and were delighted to work with Bristol Street Motors on this wonderful initiative. The competition perfectly aligned with our existing Creative Engagement programmes which support primary school aged children from across the city to access a range of creative opportunities and we were thrilled to see so many fantastic entries – choosing the winners from all the brilliant and innovative drawings was extremely difficult!

“Partnerships such as our on-going relationship with Bristol Street Motors are so valuable as they enable us to meaningfully support our outreach and community work, providing enriching cultural experiences and inspiring creativity.”

This initiative not only highlights the commitment Bristol Street Motors and Newcastle Theatre Royal has to the arts, but also demonstrates their dedication to fostering creativity in young people and bringing communities together through cultural experiences.