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| Government backs free ticket plan | Government backs free ticket plan |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| Up to 95 publicly-funded theatres across England are to offer free tickets to young adults as part of a £2.5m government-funded scheme. | Up to 95 publicly-funded theatres across England are to offer free tickets to young adults as part of a £2.5m government-funded scheme. |
| From next year until 2011, the theatres will offer free tickets - at least one day each week - to 18 to 26-year-olds on a first-come, first-served basis. | From next year until 2011, the theatres will offer free tickets - at least one day each week - to 18 to 26-year-olds on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Theatres including London's National Theatre and the Birmingham Rep will be eligible to apply for the scheme. | Theatres including London's National Theatre and the Birmingham Rep will be eligible to apply for the scheme. |
| Culture secretary Andy Burnham denied the scheme was a "gimmick". | Culture secretary Andy Burnham denied the scheme was a "gimmick". |
| The scheme follows recommendations made in a recent government review about engaging young people. | The scheme follows recommendations made in a recent government review about engaging young people. |
| The Supporting Excellence in the Arts report, by former Edinburgh International Festival director Sir Brian McMaster, recommended a "free week" to engage young audiences by opening up publicly-funded arts organisations. | The Supporting Excellence in the Arts report, by former Edinburgh International Festival director Sir Brian McMaster, recommended a "free week" to engage young audiences by opening up publicly-funded arts organisations. |
| Arts and culture have the ability to enhance and change people's lives. Government is committed to increasing access to the arts for everyone DCMS spokeswoman class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5380&edition=1&ttl=20080923114514">Would free tickets make you go to the theatre? | |
| The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said that, after consulting with venues, the idea had been translated into "a long-term and sustainable opportunity to engage young people and build a new audience over a period of time". | The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said that, after consulting with venues, the idea had been translated into "a long-term and sustainable opportunity to engage young people and build a new audience over a period of time". |
| A spokeswoman said: "Arts and culture have the ability to enhance and change people's lives. | A spokeswoman said: "Arts and culture have the ability to enhance and change people's lives. |
| "Government is committed to increasing access to the arts for everyone. | "Government is committed to increasing access to the arts for everyone. |
| "Free theatre follows on from free access to museums and, more recently, free swimming." | "Free theatre follows on from free access to museums and, more recently, free swimming." |
| During a visit to the Lowry arts centre in Salford on Wednesday, culture secretary Andy Burnham denied the scheme was "a gimmick". | During a visit to the Lowry arts centre in Salford on Wednesday, culture secretary Andy Burnham denied the scheme was "a gimmick". |
| He said theatre "can change people's lives, it can give them new insights, it can broaden their minds and help them achieve their potential". | He said theatre "can change people's lives, it can give them new insights, it can broaden their minds and help them achieve their potential". |
| Culture Show presenter Kwei-Armah has publicly endorsed the scheme | Culture Show presenter Kwei-Armah has publicly endorsed the scheme |
| He added: "I think it's entirely right the government should make all these good things available." | He added: "I think it's entirely right the government should make all these good things available." |
| His comments were supported by actor and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, who said theatre was "the greatest art form". | His comments were supported by actor and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, who said theatre was "the greatest art form". |
| "I think the magic of live theatre goes straight into the bloodstream," he told the BBC News channel. | "I think the magic of live theatre goes straight into the bloodstream," he told the BBC News channel. |
| "Once you expose young people to it, you have to make sure they're attracted to it again." | "Once you expose young people to it, you have to make sure they're attracted to it again." |
| Arts Council England has given its support to the scheme, calling it "an exciting new step". | Arts Council England has given its support to the scheme, calling it "an exciting new step". |
| "We want young people to grow up with a strong sense of the possibilities the arts give them," said its chief executive, Alan Davey. | "We want young people to grow up with a strong sense of the possibilities the arts give them," said its chief executive, Alan Davey. |
| "In order to have that happen, we must make it easy for young people to get access to excellent, inspiring art." | "In order to have that happen, we must make it easy for young people to get access to excellent, inspiring art." |