Introduction
We are the UK's leading theatre for young audiences and we make shows that challenge, motivate and inspire.
A visit to the theatre can have a long-lasting impact, stimulating exciting and meaningful work across the curriculum. We offer support through free CPD, and free resouce packs, so that you can explore our productions in school and get the most from every experience with us.
All of our activity can help you to achieve Arts Award and Artsmark with theatre visits, workshops and teacher resources to help you to embed the arts in your school and across the curriculum. Sign up to our teacher mailing list to get regular schools-focused updates.
‘I absolutely love what the Unicorn does for our school - it is engaging, motivating and inspiring in equal measure!' Headteacher
2019-20 SEASON
View our season brochure for secondary schools on Issuu
Maggot Moon
For School Years 7 – 9
26 Sep - 27 Oct 2019
Live drawing, cameras and projection bring the sinister 1950s Britain of Sally Gardner's dazzlingly original, award-winning novel to life.
Please note: in keeping with the original book, thereare some affecting moments of violence in the storytelling. These moments are described and depicted by the narrator, but not acted out. These are powerful short scenes which convey the danger that Standish is in and the perilous and ugly regime that he is surviving. There is also one single use of slightly strong language. Please contact our Box Office team if you would like more information about the show.
Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost
For School Years 7 – 11
10 Nov 2019 - 5 Jan 2020
This wonderfully witty, delightfully spooky retelling of Oscar Wilde’s 1887 comic novel is brought to life this Christmas with spine-tingling magic, spectacular illusions and ghoulish effects.
The Bee In Me
For School Year 7
31 Jan - 1 Mar 2020
One ordinary boy living an ordinary life, with every day the same. But today is different. Today is a game. Today he has wings...
I, Cinna (the poet)
For School Years 7 - 9
5 Feb - 29 Feb 2020
From internationally renowned playwright and theatre maker Tim Crouch, join Julius Caesar's unluckiest character as he invites us, the audience, to write with him, live.
Gulliver's Travels
For School Years 7 – 11
15 Mar - 3 May 2020
Jonathan Swift's surreal masterpiece is vividly brought to life in this blend of film and live performance this Easter.
Partnerships
We are currently selecting three schools for our extraordinary Collaborate partnership and have introduced a number of new partnerships in order to support non-fee-paying schools in the face of cuts.
A Unicorn Year of Theatre
We're looking to support a handful of schools who face financial & other barriers with highly subsidised tickets. We support different schools every year. Info Pack & Application Form Apply by Mon 1 Jul.
Access School Partnership
We're offering trips to relaxed, captioned & audio-described performances at highly subsidised rates. Info Pack & Application Form Apply by 12 Jun.
Unicorn Schools' Club
Join to get tickets at £7 - £8. Perfect for schools looking to book at least two show & 100+ tickets. Info Pack & Online Application Form.
Subsidised Tickets
Apply to be considered for part- or fully-subsidised tickets offers as and when we are able to offer them. Schools with high levels of need will be prioritised. Apply using our Online Application Form.
Collaborate 2019-20 (applications for 19-20 season now closed)
This highly successful arts partnership offers a tiny handful of schools the chance to shape wider educational practice. Working with the Unicorn, you and your students will build and craft the theatre’s world-class learning resources which are used across London and beyond as part of the Unicorn’s Learning Programme. More information
Kindly supported by the John Lyon's Charity
Resources
Our free, downloadable resource packs can be used to support learning around a visit.
Part One of the packs are currently available. Each pack includes an introduction, overview and interviews with the creative team.
Part Two of the packs will be available by the date of the accompanying CPD when we know more about the play and the drama activities have been tested out with our Collaborate partner school. Part Two includes suggestions and classroom plans for using drama in the classroom to explore the ideas and themes in and around the play.
Resource packs which can be viewed and downloaded:
Maggot Moon (Yr 7 -9)
The Canterville Ghost (Yr 7 - 11)
‘Fantastic activities... so easy to build into the term.' Year 5 teacher, 2016
‘The benefits have been clear - a huge impact on the boys writing and their progress in all areas of literacy, confidence and self-esteem.' Literacy Coordinator, 2014
‘The benefits have been clear - a huge impact on the boys writing and their progress in all areas of literacy, confidence and self-esteem.' Literacy Coordinator, 2014
Teacher CPD
CPD days are free and combine an active, creative exploration of the play with practical training in the use of drama to support Literacy.
‘The impact of the CPD has been amazing. It has enabled me to develop my drama skills in a way which is inclusive, enjoyable and above all, a way of maximising learning.’ Teacher, 2016
To book a free place on a CPD email schools@unicorntheatre.com
To book a free place on a CPD email schools@unicorntheatre.com
Maggot Moon Thu 19 Sep, 4.30pm - 7pm (also for teachers taking part in the Year 7 Project)
The Canterville Ghost Mon 14 Oct, 10am – 4pm
The Bee in Me Mon 25 Nov, 10am – 4pm
I, Cinna (the poet) Thu 16 Jan, 4.30pm - 7pm
Gulliver's Travels Wed 22 Jan, 4.30pm – 7pm
Teacher Events
We have some dates for your diary...
Free Season Launch event for Teachers
Thu 3 Oct 2019, 5pm – 8pm
Join us for wine and cheese and a short talk about our season and by our new Artistic Director, Justin Audibert, hear more how we can work with your school, share your thoughts on creative learning and get a chance to see Maggot Moon at 7pm. To book your free place, email schools@unicorntheatre.com
Free Press Night Tickets for Teachers
Come and watch one of our evening shows with colleagues or friends and stay for the press night party afterwards. Two free tickets per school, subject to availability:
Come and watch one of our evening shows with colleagues or friends and stay for the press night party afterwards. Two free tickets per school, subject to availability:
Aesop's Fables (8 - 12) Thu 27 Jun, 7pm
Maggot Moon Thu 3 Oct, 7pm
The Canterville Ghost Wed 20 Nov, 7pm
The Bee In Me Thu 6 Feb, 7pm
I, Cinna (the poet) Wed 12 Feb, 7pm
Gulliver's Travels Thu 26 Mar, 7pm
To book your two free tickets, email schools@unicorntheatre.com with the name and postcode of your school (2 teachers per school).
Booking Info
To book, call the Box Office on 020 7645 0560 or use our online booking form. We can also provisionally reserve tickets for one week.
If you would like to book onto the teacher event or a CPD, or would like to chat further about our programme or shows, contact Frey Kwa Hawking at schools@unicorntheatre.com
Ticket Prices
Non-fee-paying schools: £10 per pupil (1 teacher free per 10 booked)
Non-fee-paying schools: £10 per pupil (1 teacher free per 10 booked)
Fee-paying schools: £10 per pupil / £12 for Gulliver’s Travels / £14 for The Canterville Ghost (1 teacher free per 10 booked)
Early Bird Offer
Early Bird Offer
For non-fee-paying schools, tickets are £8.50 per pupil if you book for two or more shows before 31 July 2019
Unicorn Schools Club
Our scheme offers non-fee-paying schools who want to put a whole schools focus on creative learning tickets from £7 (plus extra benefits). Info Pack | Online Application Form
Our scheme offers non-fee-paying schools who want to put a whole schools focus on creative learning tickets from £7 (plus extra benefits). Info Pack | Online Application Form
Your Visit
Box Office: 020 7645 0560
To book tickets, call our Box Office team on the number above, or fill out an online booking form. Your school will then be sent an invoice. You can amend your booking up to 8 weeks before the performance.
About your visit
Our theatre was built with young people in mind, and it is important to us that we offer a space in which they feel welcome and important. We actively encourage our audiences to laugh, respond, clap and cheer during our shows – so please don’t feel that your pupils have to watch the show in silence.
There are only three things we ask in the auditorium (of adults and children): Please, no photos, no phones and no food.
Access
Visit our Access Page for specific performances for children with additional needs. If you have any questions or specific requirements we are always happy to discuss them with you.
Our building is wheelchair accessible throughout and we have hearing loops available. Please let us know if you require wheelchair spaces when booking tickets.
Our building is wheelchair accessible throughout and we have hearing loops available. Please let us know if you require wheelchair spaces when booking tickets.
Useful links
Online booking form
Useful info for teachers
Ice cream order form & ingredient information
Risk assessments for our Clore and Weston theatres
Useful info for teachers
Ice cream order form & ingredient information
Risk assessments for our Clore and Weston theatres
Testimonials
Watch the video below and read our schools' case studies to find out what teachers think.
'You should see how much progress their practical work has made - i have a student whose work has gone from grade E to B based on the inspiration of this show!'
‘The CPD was incredibly useful. Just having the space to think about the themes and best ways of presenting them is a luxury. All the fantastic activities presented make it so easy to build into the term and to get the most of the experience.’
‘Love, love, love your venue, your cpd and your resources. I'll be fighting to protect these trips in the face of budget cuts.’
‘One of the best quality courses I have ever been on. I do not come from a theatrical background but I found the activities amazing – accessing parts of my brain that aren’t normally used. It has really helped to improve my confidence in general.’
‘The impact of the CPD training has been amazing. as a teacher, it has enabled me to develop my skills teaching drama in a way which is inclusive, enjoyable and above all, a way of maximising learning.’