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Our history

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen purchased the production rights to the world’s longest running play, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap in 1996 and believed it was time the play gave something back.

Mousetrap Foundation For The Arts was created in May 1997 with a focus on bringing disadvantaged young people into the West End to experience theatre.

Susan Whiddington was the sole employee in the role of Director, housed in the understudy’s dressing room of the theatre.

1998

In March 1998, we launched our first event – a free all-student performance of Art at Wyndham’s Theatre starring Albert Finney, Tom Courtney and Ken Stott followed by an after-show talk with all three cast members.

1999

In 1999 our Family First Nights programme was launched in association with Peabody Trust, which brought 125 families to seven West End musicals.

2000

In 2000 we piloted our Envision programme enabling blind and partially sighted young people to participate in a theatre education day – the only scheme of its kind in the UK. 

In 2000 we launched C145 – ‘See a Show for £5’ (now called Go Live): a theatregoing club for young people aged 15 – 18.

2007

In 2007 we changed our name to Mousetrap Theatre Projects. As part of a year-long 10th anniversary celebration, we offered three free all-student matinees: Billy Elliot the Musical, The Sound of Music and Wicked. Launched WestEnd4£10 (now part of Go Live) a theatregoing club offering young people aged 19-21 the opportunity to attend the theatre for just £10 a ticket.

2008

We piloted StageXchange in 2008, working directly in the community with youth clubs offering a theatre visit and a series of drama workshops. Began offering 90-minute Insight Sessions for Theatreopeners and offered an all-Special Schools matinee of The Lion King. Named Charity of the Year by WhatsOnStage.

2010

Our Youth Forum was launched in 2010, a group of active young people who help us reach young theatregoers, advise us on various marketing and theatre issues and run their own special events.

2012

In 2012 we organised the first ever West End Relaxed Performance at Shrek the Musical and have since offered 12 relaxed performances across the West End. Piloted Stageseen for hearing impaired young people, launched Nextstage to develop employability skills for young people in youth clubs and launched SummerStage: our annual low-cost performing arts summer school.

2016

In 2016 we expanded our Envision theatre days to include families who participate in the drama workshops and attend the audio-described performances.

2017

Our Youth Forum hosted its first Youth Leadership in the Arts Conference in 2017, bringing together aspiring young arts leaders for a day of training, workshops and networking. Launched Theatrescene4£15: a theatregoing club for young people aged 24-29. Launched SkillUp to bolster students’ interest in selecting Drama at GCSE.

2018

In 2018 we launched PlayXray with Mischief Theatre which provides an in-depth look at the elements of a play and in 2020, we created Change Your Tune, enabling secondary schools to create and perform their own mini-musicals based on issue of importance to the school.

2022

In 2022 Mousetrap Theatre Projects celebrated its 25th year and our founder Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen stepped down as Chair of our Board. Following the first quarter of a century, the decision was to rename and rebrand our charity.

2023

Go Live Theatre Projects was launched in 2023 and continues to work to inspire young people through live theatre.

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