Unicorn Theatre Opening Season

The new £13m Unicorn Theatre - the UK's first ever purpose built professional theatre for children - will open on 1 December 2005 with two shows, David Wood's adaptation of TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN and IN THE BOX.

Unicorn will put on SEVEN shows during its first season. View overview of shows.

Tony Graham, Unicorn Artistic Director; Carl Miller, Unicorn Associate Director (Royal Court, Birmingham Rep and Bury St Edmunds) and Rebecca Gatward, Unicorn Associate Director, (Shared Experience and RSC) have developed a programme that will feature an array of national and international artists and work.

Tony Graham, Unicorn Artistic Director, said: "Unicorn's work for children is destined to shake things up. Unicorn is a remarkable new theatre and marks an exciting development for theatre for children in national and international cultural life. Our artistic ambitions remain as adventurous as ever.

"We are committed to creating an imaginative, resonant theatre for children and for all of us. The first season does just that and is an explosive brew of national, international theatre with new writing and commissions, world premières and classics. Education is integral to the new season and addresses issues as diverse as the child's place in society through to the awesome power of Antarctica."

Barclays First Class, a new community initiative from Barclays PLC in partnership with the Unicorn Theatre, will enable over 1,500 children from across London to see TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN during a special preview week before the Unicorn formally opens. Schools from every borough in London are being invited to bring a class of children to the theatre. The selected schools are those serving some of the most disadvantaged communities in their borough, emphasising Unicorn’s and Barclays’ commitment to make the new theatre accessible to all children regardless of background or parental income. Read More>>

Unicorn Theatre, close to City Hall on the south bank, is destined to become a national cultural flagship and international centre of excellence. It will play to over 100,000 children each year - influencing and growing the country's next generation of theatregoers through a broad range of theatre, education and other arts productions.