We create new, inventive and enthralling performances for every stage of childhood. We believe in the imaginative power of theatre to transform young lives.
We are the largest children’s theatre in the UK, specialising in developing new devised and written shows alongside adaptations of classic texts, offering an innovative and inspiring year-round programme of sector-leading theatre for children.
Our purpose-built home at London Bridge (opened in 2005) is a creative and welcoming space designed with and for young people. Our building comprises two theatre spaces (Weston Theatre at around 290-seat capacity and Clore Theatre at around 90-seat capacity) plus two rehearsal spaces, along with backstage set, prop and costume facilities. We produce and present a thrilling and varied programme, exploring stories, ideas and themes that enrich and broaden children’s view of the world. We welcome 65,000 families and schools every year, reaching thousands more via Unicorn Online.
The Unicorn has a turnover of around £2.8 million. In a regular year, over 20% of income comes from Box Office – with almost all tickets being sold to children at concessionary rates – and we raise a similar amount from fundraising.
We believe that young people of all ages, perspectives and abilities have the right to access exciting, entertaining and inspiring work – we want all children to experience our theatre and actively seek out children wouldn’t otherwise attend. The theatre’s audiences are broadly defined as families and schools, and the theatre plays to all ages from six months to 13 years. We maintain a strong commitment to representing diversity in our audiences, as well as on our stages, and we prioritise accessibility and inclusion across our organisation.
Mission, Vision and Values
We believe that all children deserve to have access to the arts, regardless of their circumstances and our mission is to transform young lives through theatre by:
- Creating innovative and outstanding theatre for children aged up to 13 years.
- Supporting artists to make work with ambition, integrity and hope.
- Encouraging children to question and explore the world through stories; developing empathy, understanding and imagination.
- Collaborating with children in schools and communities to inform our practice, and inspiring children to fulfil their potential through creative projects with inventive theatre-makers.
- Extending our reach through online theatre experiences, national and international partnerships and subsidised tickets.
- Recognising that climate action is vital to protecting children’s futures, and actively reducing our environmental impact on the planet.
- Believing in equality, diversity and inclusion; we take action to advocate for, and promote the rights of children.
