Public Acts

Public Acts is the National Theatre’s nationwide community programme, celebrating theatre as a form of community building. We work with theatres and community organisations across the country who share our vision of theatre as a force for change.

Since 2017 we’ve created shows with thousands of community members and professional artists. Our work is inter-generational and inclusive, defined by our core values of openness, generosity and courage.

We work in long-term partnerships, because we know the work is better when we’re learning from each other. We work responsively, because we know that no community is the same, and that things are always moving.

Our shows are a celebration and a provocation about who we are as individuals and communities, and what we can do when we come together.

The research into the impact of Public Acts projects has been led by Professor Helen Nicholson since 2017. The reports have found Public Acts to be a powerful catalyst for social change, not only bringing a profound and positive impact to the individuals taking part but also to our community and theatre partners.

Finding community

Public Acts supported participants to find community through:

• Connecting people, community organisations and theatres
• Creating the conditions for individuals to overcome isolation
• Building community cohesion among participants from a wide range of backgrounds

Download the research paper Public Acts Story of Hope 2017-2020 here

Download a short version of the research report here

Increased confidence

Almost all participants reported increased confidence due to:

• A sense of achievement as a result of taking part in the programme
• Improved physical and mental health
• Encouragement to pursue new creative interests

Delivering for our community partners

The programme delivered for our community partners by:

• Increasing their high-quality arts and cultural activities
• Encouraging partners to reconsider the role of creative activity in delivering their core aims and values
• Developing staff confidence in approaching arts and cultural organisations for future collaboration
• Increasing understanding of the skills and resources needed to undertake successful partnership work

Catalysing change

Public Acts catalysed change for theatre partners by:

• Building sustained relationships with participants and comunity organisations, which shaped new agendas
• Facilitating wider changemaking by strengthening inclusive theatrial practices and including staff from different parts of our partner organisations
• Emphasising the importance of inclusivity in theatre and its role in social justice
• Welcoming diverse audiences and attracting significant numbers who were new to theatre

1. Stoke-on-Trent

Theatre partners:
Restoke, Stoke-on-Trent

2. Doncaster

Theatre partner:
Cast, Doncaster
National Theatre, London

Community partners:
b:friend
Cast Young Company
Changing Lives
Conversation Club
darts
Edlington Community Organisation
Right Up Our Street

3. Trowbridge

Community partners:
Trowbridge Town Hall, Trowbridge

4. Sunderland

Theatre partners
Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire
Fire Station
Sunderland Nigerian Families Group
Back On The Map

5. Greater London and South Essex

Theatre partners:
National Theatre, London
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Outer East London and South Essex

Community partners:
Bromley by Bow Centre
Body & Soul
Coram
DABD
Havering Asian Social Welfare Association
Open Age
Thames Reach 
Trybe House Theatre
The Faith and Belief Forum