Princess Yachts announced as new Sponsors for Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Playhouse Project

Theatre Royal Plymouth are thrilled to announce that Princess Yachts, the UK’s largest luxury yacht manufacturer and longstanding supporters of TRP, is kindly sponsoring TRP’s Playhouse project as part of their renewed support. 

Aimed at encouraging primary school children to get involved in drama workshops across Plymouth and the wider South, the project works with schools in deprived and remote areas where children are less likely to have access to drama provision. 

The Playhouse project will provide the schools taking part with the professional support of TRP’s Directors and Technicians, offering assistance with rehearsals and backing where needed. At the end of each year, the project will provide the children with the opportunity to perform in the Drum Theatre at TRP, presenting productions which tackle prevalent topics such as racism, online bullying and exclusion. 

The project is expected to engage with 300 students and 15 teachers throughout 2023, as well as providing the opportunity for 210 students to perform in the Drum at TRP during the Playhouse Festival, taking place from the 11th – 15th July. Princess Yachts’ support will enable TRP to organise workshops, assemblies, drama sessions, theatre visits, and additional training for students and teachers performing in the annual Playhouse Festival.

Erica Vitai, Development Manager, said: “We’re so grateful to Princess Yachts for their longstanding support and for sponsoring our Playhouse project for the next three years. Playhouse gives the opportunity for primary school children to perform in a professional theatre, and with the support of Princess Yachts we can involve children from across the school rather than just one year group. Many of these schoolchildren have never engaged with the theatre before but through the workshops and performances they are able to gain confidence, develop friendships and learn new skills.”

“Princess Yachts is delighted to be supporting the Playhouse project as part of our ongoing relationship with Theatre Royal Plymouth”, said Adrian Bratt, Executive Director People, Legal and External Affairs. 

“The work undertaken by Playhouse is invaluable to the city of Plymouth and the wider South West, offering primary school children the opportunity to take part in drama workshops to learn key skills such as confidence and teamwork, often opportunities that they have not previously had access to. We wish the project very much success.”

Beth Siddall, (Playhouse Project Lead) Children, Young People & Families Officer, summed up the significant impact the project has on the young people involved: “Playhouse is a wonderful opportunity for both the schools and the theatre. We welcome over 200 young people through our doors each year who may never have experienced theatre before. The whole venue gives the young performers the VIP experience and the children feel like stars. Through new experiences the project allows children to gain in confidence, bond with one another and have a true sense of pride in themselves. The Playhouse festival promotes a life-long love of theatre, and we thank Princess Yachts for their on-going support.”