BRADFORD’S theatres have helped add new depth to the education of local young people.

A new report into the district’s council owned theatres details the various partnerships between schools and the theatres in recent years.

Bradford Council owns and runs four theatre venues: the Alhambra Theatre, the

Alhambra Studio, St George’s Hall in Bradford city centre, and the King’s Hall & Winter Gardens in Ilkley.

The theatres are used for numerous school events, and the report, by Phil Barker, Assistant Director of Sport and Culture, details how they can help bring more of the district’s young people into contact with cultural activities and performances.

Activities held at the Alhambra Theatre in recent years include a four day Shakespeare festival, involving 11 primary schools last November, another Shakespeare project run in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Bingley Grammar School and a hub of other local schools, in which more than 200 children participated and 1,500 people attended, and pupils from Samuel Lister Academy appearing in a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Northern Ballet also take part in workshops with schools when they visit the theatre.

During pantomime season the theatre also hosts “relaxed” performances for people with learning disabilities, allowing more young children with conditions including autism to enjoy the theatre.

Before St George’s Hall closed for refurbishment in spring it hosted Primary Music Live, which saw 22 schools from across the district descend on St George’s Hall for a day of live music and singalongs.

The hall, the oldest concert hall in the UK, hosts regular events for primary and secondary schools.

When the hall re-opens, it will be with a Heritage Outreach post, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Part of their role will be to deliver activities targeting underrepresented groups and city centre schools, including free workshops, open days and a tour linking other historical buildings.

Schools are also invited to “dance masterclasses” when major dance troupes visit Bradford.

The dance consortium has membership from around the UK, and Bradford Theatres has been a member for the last 10 years. The aim is to bring the best large scale international contemporary dance companies to the local regions. This consortium has received regular funding from the arts council and involves education packages to give more young people the chance to work with some of the world’s best dancers.

Mr Barker’s report says: “We constantly take throughout the year requests from school children who are thinking of pursuing a career in theatre.

“Successful candidates are given a full weeks intensive insight into how the theatre operates and the very different departments that all work quite individually yet knit together for the end product.

“The Alhambra is a member of the Touring Consortium, which produces new accessible drama twice annually and has a commitment to providing accessibly priced schools tickets and free educational and outreach activity

alongside their productions.”