Say Hello to our Brand-New Patrons!

Paapa Essiedu, Julie Hesmondhalgh, James Graham, Beverley Knight, Adrian Lester, Ricardo P Lloyd, Rob Madge, Suzie Miller, Gracie McGonigal, Georgina Onuorah, Elaine Paige, Jonathan Pryce, Jonathan Sayer, Mark Strong, Meera Syal, Sam West and Roy Williams have joined as Patrons to support our core initiatives and act as industry ambassadors.

Every single patron believes as passionately as we do that access to live theatre for our children and young people should not be seen as a privilege but a prerogative. The benefits are numerous, profound and can quite literally be life-changing but also as an industry, theatre has an obligation to cultivate the audiences of tomorrow and where better to start than with our young people.

You can read more about each Patron right here, but we wanted to share what they had to say about joining us.

James Graham

‘Inspiring and helping young people to engage with the arts is just about the most important activity anyone in our industry can be championing right now – especially given the collapse of creativity in schools. I’m so grateful for the work we’ll be doing with Go Live on PUNCH in the West End, and to supporting them beyond.’

Julie Hesmondhalgh

‘Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m never happier than when I’m in a theatre watching a show- whether it be a fringe scratch in a room above a pub, or a full whack West End musical extravaganza. I can’t imagine how my life would have turned out if I hadn’t been given the chance to see things as I was growing up, when there were more opportunities for people like me to go to the theatre. I’m chuffed to support Go Live and their wonderful work in making the joy of theatre more accessible to all.’

Beverley Knight

‘I remember my first experience of theatre as a child. It never left me. It shaped the performer I am today, because I saw my dream right in front of me. Visualisation of your aspirations is essential, and I want to help young people see a path to their stage ambitions; I’m proud to come onboard as a patron of Go Live.’

Ricardo P Lloyd

‘As an artist and global citizen, theatre was never designed for someone like me — yet it became the stage where I discovered my power. As a new generation of artists rise, I want to make sure the doors stay open wider than ever. My mission as a Patron of Go Live Theatre is to inspire those who feel unseen, to remind them that their stories deserve the spotlight too. Culture moves forward when we bring everyone with us and I’m proud to stand for that.’

Rob Madge

‘Being a patron of Go Live is one of the greatest honours. Making theatre more accessible to children is something I am deeply passionate about. As a child, theatre was my comfort, my escape, my home. Without it, life would have been very lonely indeed.  Theatre allowed me to see a future for myself, for the first time and I am so excited to be part of the dialogue in ensuring new and future generations also experience its unlimited joys. ’

Grace McGonigal

‘Theatre has the power to transform, inspire, and open up new worlds. Every child deserves the chance to experience that magic. Whilst performing in pantomime, I’ve seen first-hand how introducing children to theatre for the first time can truly change lives. I often receive messages from young people with the same disability as me, sharing that seeing me perform has inspired them to get into acting themselves. That opportunity should be open to everyone — and Go Live is helping to make that happen.’

Georgina Onuroah

‘I’m so honoured to now be a patron of Go Live; the very organisation that provided teenage me so many of my early memories of seeing theatre in London.’

Elaine Paige DBE 

‘My love of theatre and my inspiration to become an actress, began at school with the encouragement of my music teacher, Ann Hill and the discovery of the musical West Side Story. It is therefore especially meaningful to become a Patron of Go Live Theatre and to be able to support the next generation of talent.’

Sir Jonathan Pryce

‘The more that young people have the chance to go to the theatre the more the future of theatre itself will be secure. Children need to be tempted away from their headphones and laptops and mobiles to enjoy the shared experience of watching a play. In a theatre you’re not alone, you’re not isolated. You can learn that your problems in life are not unique. You can find solutions and you can find joy.’

Mark Strong

‘Access to theatre is essential – the benefit of live performance and the shared experience has time and again proven to not just culturally enrich young people’s lives, but to also support mental health and help develop emotional intelligence. I feel strongly that every child and young person should have the opportunity to access theatre, and it’s this that sits at the very core of what Go Live Theatre do – I’m proud to work with them.’

Meera Syal

‘I didn’t know what theatre was until I attended a local pantomime at the age of 6, and by the end of the show, my world and how I saw the world changed forever. The joys of live theatre and the potential it unlocks in young minds should be available to everyone and I am thrilled to be part of that journey with Go Live.’

To keep up-to-date on all the exciting ways we’ll be working with them, why not give us a follow on social or sign-up to receive our newsletters – you can find all the info on how to do this at the bottom of the page.