Aberdeen Families Benefit from Random Acts of Theatre Kindness
A local initiative offers free access to performances, ensuring creativity isn’t limited by circumstance.
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Aberdeen Arts Centre has partnered with performers, charities, and council teams to distribute 76 complimentary tickets to families facing financial challenges. The scheme, timed to coincide with Random Acts of Kindness Day (17 February), covers seven productions in 2025 – including the much-loved panto Robin Hood – and prioritises households who’ve rarely or never experienced live theatre.
Bridging Gaps Through Theatre Access
With rising living costs limiting leisure spending for many, the centre’s creative director Amy Liptrott emphasised the project’s goal: “The arts inspire and heal, but too often, they’re seen as a luxury. This is about saying ‘you belong here’.” Tickets were donated by local groups like the Natalie Tough School of Dance and touring acts such as Dean Friedman, reflecting what Liptrott calls “a generosity that’s redefining community spirit.”
Recipients are identified through Aberdeen City Council’s Family Learning team and Tillydrone Community Campus, which supports one of the city’s most economically disadvantaged areas. For some families, these tickets mark their first chance to share a live performance.
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Some upcoming shows at Aberdeen Arts Centre
Why This Matters Beyond the Stage
Angela Grainger of the Family Learning team notes that pantomime nights have already sparked joy – and perhaps futures. “Imagine a child thinking, ‘Could I be up there one day?’” she says. Meanwhile, Tillydrone’s Marie Strang highlights the simplicity of the offer: “It’s not just about art. It’s about time together, without worrying if it’s ‘for people like us.’”
The centre, a charity operating since 1963, runs year-round creative programmes for all ages. Yet this ticket scheme – small in scale but sharp in focus – underscores a wider truth: inclusivity in the arts isn’t just about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s as straightforward as covering the cost of a seat.
How to Get Involved
While the 2025 tickets are allocated, you can support future outreach by donating to the centre’s access fund or volunteering at community workshops. Follow their social channels for updates on how creativity continues to knock down barriers – one act of kindness at a time.
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