Playmakers Programme | 2026

This January and February, 122 Year 6 students from two London schools stepped into the world of professional theatre through our Playmakers programme!

The journey began with a thrilling matinee of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at St Martin’s Theatre. Inspired by the classic whodunnit, the students then took part in four exciting playwrighting sessions, led by facilitators Marian Hoddy and Aoife O’Sullivan, crafting their very own original mystery scripts.

The project culminated on Wednesday 11 March, when the students returned to St Martin’s Theatre to see their work performed live by a professional cast; Emmanuel Akwafo, Casey Al-Shaqsy, Cavan Clarke and Emma Kaler.

Following the showcase, the young writers engaged in a Q&A with the cast, Director Aoife O’Sullivan, and Programme Manager Aran Cherkez – it was a fantastic opportunity for the pupils to ask about the process of turning their words into live drama and gain unique insights into the wider theatre industry.

One of the schools has a Pupil Premium of 51.9%  and the other a Pupil Premium of 35% (national average is 28%):

17-40% of young people participating on the programme have a SEND
10-42% of young people participating on the programme have English as an Additional Language (EAL)
83% of young people participating on the programme are from a Global Majority background

100% of students said they would like to be involved in another Go Live programme
73% of students said that they felt they have expressed themselves creatively within the programme
93% of the students would like to attend the theatre more

🎥 Watch our short video now to hear from the young people who participated in the programme:

Students were asked for a short sentence that described their experience and what they enjoyed most about the programme – below are just a selection:

“My favourite part was watching the performance at the theatre because it showed that our ideas can become something real.”

“I really loved the experience because it was a chance to be free and share all ideas and thoughts. After seeing our play, I felt proud of myself because all our effort didn’t go to waste. It was really fun! This is the best day of my life. The show was so good.”

“We really enjoyed sharing our ideas. Also, people were creative and they got to explore different emotions.”

Teacher feedback was incredibly positive:

“The Go Live Theatre programme was a fantastic experience for my Year 6 children. The workshops were engaging, inclusive and carefully structured, allowing every child to contribute ideas and build confidence. It was wonderful to see the children collaborate to create their own script and then experience the excitement of watching their work brought to life… It has been a fantastic opportunity for our students, especially as many of them have never had the chance to visit a theatre, let alone write their own script and see it performed on stage.” Year 6 Class Teacher

“This project has been a highlight for me as a phase lead. It has given me the opportunity to see the children in ways that I might not usually observe in a typical classroom setting. It reveals their creativity and the potential that lies within them almost immediately. I will always advocate for every child to have the chance to take part in such an inspiring project. The programme was very well organised and engaging for the pupils and teachers, and Aoife created a positive and inclusive environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas.” Year 6, Phase Lead

The Playmakers programme empowered the students, achieving remarkable gains in literacy, confidence, communication and collaboration; with 100% of students reporting increased confidence and 93% of all participants are eager to return to the theatre, the impact was profound. Teachers praised the project for uncovering ‘hidden creative potential’ and boosting SATs preparation.

With one of the schools now an official partner and the other looking to formalise their involvement, Playmakers has proven to be a vital, sustainable tool. By embedding the programme into their annual curriculum, these schools ensure this ‘best day of my life’ experience reaches future cohorts and continues to unlock student aspirations.

🎥 Watch the sensational cast in rehearsal!

We would like to thank our funders, Hyde Park Palace Estate, Lehman Brothers Foundation Europe and Shaftesbury Capital for making this programme possible.

Donate today to help ensure every child, regardless of background, has the chance to experience the transformative power of live theatre and open doors for the next generation.

If you’re a trust, foundation, company, organisation or private individual that would like to explore supporting our work in a specific way, please get in touch using the form below.

🎥 Video: Eleni Cashell
📸 Photos: @charlieflintphotography