Let your love of the arts live on

Many of us can remember the moment we first fell in love with the arts. A show that made us laugh. A performance that opened our eyes. A creative experience that made us feel braver, happier or more connected. At Play to the Crowd, we create those moments of wonder every day for people across Winchester and beyond.

“Play to the Crowd is a place where anyone and everyone is welcome, where art and storytelling is woven into the fabric of our community.”

For many, stepping into Theatre Royal Winchester, seeing a performance at Hat Fair or taking part in a workshop is the start of a lifelong love of the arts, the beginning of a story. Many even discover something new about themselves. Young people find confidence and skills. Older people, or those living alone, find a lifeline in shared experiences. Families in rural areas and those new to the city feel welcome and part of their community. Schools with tight budgets gain creative opportunities they otherwise couldn’t offer. Local artists find a platform that helps them grow.

“Because of Play to the Crowd, I was able to fulfil my dream of performing on a proper theatre stage and feel what it was like to be in front of an audience. It has made me more positive and taught me that I can do things that make me nervous. Being part of the [Youth Theatre] made me feel like I belonged.”

These experiences matter. They stay with people. They become part of their story.

If the arts have shaped your life in some way, a legacy is the perfect opportunity to pass that feeling on; to continue your story. You can help others discover confidence, joy and belonging through creativity. Your love of the arts will be carried forward in every person who finds their own moment of wonder.

“I'm proud to support. Creativity is the lifeblood of any civilised society, especially when it is inclusive of diverse voices and involves our local community. Long may Play to the Crowd not just survive but thrive. We need you, now more than ever.”

A gift in your Will to Play to the Crowd, however large or small, lets your own love of the arts live on in others. It supports the next child discovering the magic of a live show. It brings free outdoor performance to someone who never thought ‘the arts’ were for them. It keeps creativity thriving in communities where it can make the greatest difference to people’s lives.

We all have a story to tell. How will you end yours?

“There’s a saying - if you have just two pennies left, spend one on a loaf to give you life but the other? Spend on a rose - it will give you a reason for living. Play to the Crowd should be Winchester’s rose...”

Play to the Crowd is the registered arts and education charity (1077139) that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and a year-round programme of creative community projects throughout Winchester and beyond. Their charitable mission is to delight and unite people through the power of live performance and participation.

As part of Legacy Action week, Play to the Crowd will be lifting the curtain on legacy giving with an entertaining and insightful event on Friday 24 April at 10am. Hosted on Theatre Royal Winchester’s historic stage, you will have the chance to gain personal advice from legal and financial experts and experience an exclusive backstage tour of our venue. Please visit theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk for more details and to book.