Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation supports Polka Theatre’s Curtain Up! Programme

Fantastic news for the continued development of Polka’s free-ticketing scheme that will benefit thousands of primary school pupils growing up in areas with high indices of deprivation.

We are delighted that Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation are continuing to provide significant and sustained support for Curtain Up! and it’s long-term future.

Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation exists to make a difference to peoples lives, and their support of Curtain Up! achieves this by providing a life-changing opportunity for children experiencing disadvantage to experience theatre for the first time.

Polka’s Curtain Up! was created to tackle the financial barriers that can stop schools from bringing their pupils to theatre shows. Schools apply for the scheme and must meet the following list of criteria to ensure it reaches the most disadvantaged children living in the most deprived locations across London:

• More than 20% of students eligible for free school meals
• More than 25% of students speaking English as an additional language
• Large numbers of children with a minority ethnic or refugee background
• Schools struggling to provide opportunities for pupils to experience the arts

The vast majority of children attending Curtain up! performances have never been to a theatre before and this is the only way they will have the chance to engage with this transformative art form. Engaging with theatre has proven benefits to academic performance, social and emotional skills, creative thinking, raising aspirations and boosting confidence.

“Thank you very much for today. Many of our children have never experienced a play in any theatre and they loved it! They all left the theatre buzzing and singing the songs as we walked down the street.” Teacher, Purley Oaks Primary School

Schools who successfully apply to Curtain Up! receive:

• Free tickets for a class, year group or key stage
• After-show Q&As with actors and directors
• Classroom resources for teachers (helping to link the show to the curriculum and improve the use of drama and creativity in the classroom to support learning)
• Transport subsidy if needed

Last year via Curtain Up! Polka reached 6,000 children from across 12 boroughs, including Merton, Croydon, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Southwark and Lambeth (all boroughs with significantly high levels of poverty compared to England as a whole).

Polka are incredibly grateful for this significant support from Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation which will leave a lasting legacy.

If you are a school wanting to participate in Curtain Up! please see details on how to apply here.