Our three-step Playmakers programme 2025

Published: 27 Jun 2025

Our ambitious Playmakers programme was created to boost confidence, connections, literacy, and communication skills.

This three-step programme included:

A visit to see Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at the St Martin’s Theatre in the West End.
Four guided playwriting workshops to create their own plays inspired by the theatre visit.
A thrilling performance of their mystery plays by professional actors (including Jordan Luke Gage) at the St. Martin’s Theatre – followed by a Q&A with the cast and director.

It really was an amazing experience for all the young people involved!

100% of students want to join another Go Live programme.
100% of students are keen on future theatre opportunities.
95% of young people felt very confident contributing ideas.

The skills that young people said they learnt from the programme were:

Building confidence
Character development
Communicating with peers
Contributing ideas
Creating characters
Creating stories
Expressing ideas creatively
Imagination and storytelling
Working with others

Truly embodying our mission for young people to experience and create live theatre, we believe this format has strong potential for adaptation and expansion to reach even more young people, so watch this space.

🎞️ Get a feel for this initiative with our fun footage!

Teacher Testimonials:

“A lot of them that ordinarily wouldn’t be able to share their ideas worked together, they also listened to other people. Knowing that one of our school core values is cooperation, we are now seeing that they are cooperating with each other quite a lot”
Year 6, Phase Lead at Gateway Academy

“I just wanted to pass on a massive thank you from all the staff and children at our school who went to see The Mousetrap yesterday. They enjoyed every minute. It was an amazing opportunity for everyone, and it was for many of the children and some of the staff their first experience at a West End Theatre. I don’t think they will ever forget it.”
Teacher attending the Education Matinee of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap

Student Testimonials:

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

“I enjoyed the Q+A with the actors of our plays.”

“I enjoyed working in a team.”

“I enjoyed the massive character development and the funny moments in the show, especially the coconut water.”

“I’d like to visit the theatre again since I liked it.”

“I loved working with others.”

We would like to thank our funders, Lehman Brothers Foundation Europe, for making this programme possible.