Playhouse
Playhouse is a national partnership project between Theatre Royal Plymouth, York Theatre Royal, Theatr Iolo, Birmingham Rep, Sheffield Theatres, CAST and Landmark Theatres.
Playhouse is a festival of new plays performed by KS2 classes in the Drum! Teachers are supported by professional directors, technicians and production staff to rehearse a play before it is performed in a professional venue, creating a truly memorable experience for all involved.
As part of this project, we’re able to provide a tailor-made programme of additional support including staff training and workshops, in addition to performance opportunities for Key Stage 2.
You choose the level of engagement for your school.
The Primary Partnership Package is priced at £500.00 and provides children in KS2, at your school, with the opportunity to perform at the Theatre Royal Plymouth!
Playhouse at Theatre Royal Plymouth is supported by Princess Yachts
Key facts about the Playhouse Primary Partnership
We’ll provide:
- The opportunity for a KS2 class, after school group or pupils working in a SEND setting to perform
- Rehearsal time in our designated rehearsal rooms at our Production and Learning Centre, TR2/ in The Lab space at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
- Access to professional support from directors and technicians throughout your rehearsal process
- A fully digital CPD training opportunity (usually in March)- for the director of your play- delivered by professional playwrights, directors and facilitators
- An in-person local CPD training opportunity to support the nominated director of your chosen play
- A technical meeting with one of our Drum Technicians ahead of your performance
- A Director visit to support you during the rehearsal process of your play
Sign-up for our 2026 festival are now open!
EXPRESS INTEREST to be part of our partnership in the next academic year or see how we could work with your school!
It could be your school performing in The Drum theatre in July 2026!
Email heather.johns@theatreroyal.com, to let us know you’re interested in being a Primary School Partner, find out more details and ask any questions or apply for the academic year 2025/26 by completing our online application form.
BE PART OF HISTORY – BE PART OF PLAYHOUSE!
For Children:
The process is proven to be transformative to children’s learning. By performing in high quality, age-appropriate scripts, children develop their acting and oracy skills, and gain a growth mindset towards mistakes, practicing and rehearsing.
Through immersing themselves in the world of theatre, children have fun as they gain knowledge and skills that help them understand how a play is brought to life. Even for those children who are initially apprehensive, the project helps them contextualise and overcome uncomfortable feelings, such as shyness and worry, and provides them with a sense of achievement and fulfilment. As a direct result of taking part in the project, children grow in knowledge, skills and confidence.
In bringing their characters to life, children are able to have heartfelt, authentic conversations about big issues in the world today and learn to express themselves freely as they experience the joy of theatre.
For Teachers & Schools:
The easy to deliver and realistic nature of the Playhouse project ensures a cost-effective project for teachers and schools to produce.
Through this enriching and comprehensive CPD programme, teachers learn rehearsal and directing techniques, and develop the skills and confidence they need to bring drama into the classroom.
The Playhouse project boasts an unrivalled library of bespoke professional scripts appropriate for large classes of KS2. Teachers work with specially commissioned playwrights who develop plays that are relevant and topical to young people today.
Teachers feel empowered through practical support from the Playhouse team wo are committed to combatting the decline of drama teaching and provision in primary schools.
“Some children were pretty much mute before the project, and now they’re saying loads and loads of fantastic lines”
Teacher
“It’s wonderful having a script that is designed for a class that is age appropriate”
Teacher
Watch a video about the 2024 Playhouse Festival:
