The Unicorn celebrates Creative Hub with a visit from its Royal Patron, Her Majesty the Queen.
On Wednesday 12th February, for the first time during Rachel Bagshaw’s tenure as Artistic Director, the Unicorn Theatre welcomed Royal Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, to celebrate its Creative Hub, highlighting how the theatre collaborates with young people to develop Unicorn productions and to offer them their first experience as theatre makers.
Joined by staff and participants, Her Majesty received a tour of the theatre and an inside look at Creative Hub projects, engaging with several key aspects of the theatre’s work with young people. The Queen’s first stop was a Creative Schools workshop, a collaboration between children from Years 2 and 3 at Snowfields Primary with Unicorn Artistic Director Rachel Bagshaw and award-winning children’s author (and Unicorn Trustee) Piers Torday. The focus of the workshop was sustainability and climate action, with the children creating an original poem to honour and remember the lost animals of the British Isles to feature in a future production. This workshop was part of the Unicorn’s Creative Schools Partnerships, in which young people collaborate with Unicorn artists to shape the theatre’s artistic programme while their teachers explore creative approaches to curriculum teaching and develop a school strategy for drama.
Following the workshop, Her Majesty observed Creative Associates involved in the Unicorn’s current production of Pig Heart Boy at an in conversation event with acclaimed author Malorie Blackman OBE, discussing the importance of creativity in childhood. Creative Associates are children aged 8-13 years old who work closely with the Unicorn’s Creative Team on a specific production, helping to shape and influence the work to ensure it remains relevant and engaging for young audiences.
The visit concluded with Her Majesty meeting staff, guests and participants from the Creative Families programme during a tea and cake reception.
Rachel Bagshaw, Artistic Director of the Unicorn, comments, “It was a privilege to welcome our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, to the Unicorn yesterday. Her Majesty’s ongoing support is testament to the vital work we do with young people and schools, and to the essential role the Unicorn plays in shaping future generations."
Further Information: Unicorn Theatre | The Unicorn Theatre