Programme Announced For ALMEIDA FOR FREE - SUMMER AND SMOKE

The programme is today announced for Almeida For Free - Summer & Smoke, the Almeida Theatre's free festival for anyone aged 25 and under taking place from Tuesday 3 - Thursday 5 April.

In addition to three performances of Rebecca Frecknall's production of Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke performed entirely for free to 25s and under, the festival features a programme of free live theatre, music, cabaret and comedy, exclusive masterclasses with creative professionals and panel discussions.

The line-up includes:

• Late night performances from drag girl band DENIM and award-winning comedian Jayde Adams.

• The first London run of immersive binaural Edinburgh Fringe hit Séance.

• Masterclass workshops from playwrights Inua Ellams and Lulu Raczka, theatre-maker Emma Frankland and physical theatre director Kane Husbands.

• So You Think You're A (Female) Director? - a panel discussion about being a female theatre director in today's industry.

• A series of events curated and produced by the Almeida Young Producers and Almeida Young Critics.

Alongside the festival, the Almeida Participation team is running an outreach programme, connecting with local youth organisations and schools to provide workshops, tickets and opportunities to perform on the Almeida stage as part of the Almeida's commitment to engaging with new audiences.

Almeida Theatre Artistic Director Rupert Goold said today, "I can't wait to throw open the doors of the theatre to young people for the second Almeida For Free festival, three days crammed full of fearless performance, thought-provoking debates and inspiring workshops. Last year 1600 people aged 25 and under saw Hamlet for free and 69% of the participants in the festival had never visited the Almeida before. This is why it's so incredibly important that the festival is returning again during Summer and Smoke and, alongside our commitment of 3000 £5 tickets per year for people aged 25 and under, it demonstrates the value we place on getting young people into the building."

Tickets to all events will be entirely free and available to book from midday on Tuesday 20 February.

Go to almeida.co.uk/almeidaforfree

This year's festival has been made possible through the generous support of The Taylor Family Foundation. The Taylor Family Foundation, set up in 2007 by Ian and Cristina Taylor, supports charities giving opportunities to children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to improve their chances of attaining success; improving access and engagement in the performing arts and helping the homeless and struggling families to overcome their challenges. http://www.thetaylorfamilyfoundation.co.uk/

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