News Story

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Visits The Theatre Chipping Norton to Celebrate its Charitable Impact

Chipping Norton, 12^th February 2025 – The Theatre Chipping Norton is delighted to welcome The Duke of Edinburgh to learn more about the vital work the Theatre does as a charity supporting the local community. While The Theatre is best known for its vibrant productions, including its much-loved annual pantomime, it is, at its heart, a community-driven charity committed to making the arts accessible to all.

His Royal Highness has significant experience with The Arts both in the UK and abroad and has patronage of a large number of high-profile organisations. The Theatre is highly honoured that The Duke has chosen to visit our venue to highlight our growing leadership role in rural arts-led community development and the quality of the productions created here in Chipping Norton.

The Duke’s visit comes at a significant moment for The Theatre, which has recently been awarded a major multi-year grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. This funding will enable The Theatre to expand its community outreach, focusing on mental health and wellbeing, family engagement, and co-creation of new work with local artists.

A Theatre at the Heart of the Community

The Theatre Chipping Norton is not just a performance venue; it is a vital hub for local people, offering support to those who need it most. The theatre supports programmes such as:

Free School Holiday Meals & Art Packs – The Theatre provide over 9,000 free meals to children during school holidays, ensuring no child goes hungry.
Youth Engagement & Mental Health Support – 45 mental health workshops delivered in local schools, plus 650 mental health art parcels distributed.
Accessible Arts & Education – ‘More than 25% of our Youth Theatre students receive bursary support’ and The Theatre provide free tickets to family films and holiday workshops for children from low-income backgrounds.
Inclusion & Accessibility – 866 free community and companion tickets offered to ensure everyone can experience the joy of theatre, regardless of their circumstances.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit highlights the growing recognition of The Theatre’s role as a leader in rural arts-led community development. His Royal Highness will meet staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries to learn first-hand about the transformative power of the arts in Chipping Norton.