Theatre News

Sam Aston Backs Free Theatre Ticket Scheme

Coronation Street actor Sam Aston, who plays Chesney Brown in ITV’s popular soap, popped into the Library Theatre in Manchester earlier this month to lend his support to A Night Less Ordinary, Arts Council England’s scheme which offers free theatre tickets for people under 26 at selected theatres in the UK.

Joining him was fellow Weatherfield resident Graeme Hawley, who plays Jon Stape in the soap, who donned box office staff uniform to ‘sell’ Sam a free ticket for a production at the Library.

“I think Arts Council England’s A Night Less Ordinary scheme is the perfect way to introduce young people to the joys of live theatre,” says Sam. “Introduce youngsters to the theatre at an early age, which this scheme does at absolutely no charge, and the theatre has a great chance of keeping them for life.”

Graeme, who has appeared in a number of productions at the Library Theatre in recent years, is also a fan of the scheme. “Most of the work that I’m most proud of was on the Library Theatre stage,” he says, “and it is always pleasing to see young people in the audience.”

A Night Less Ordinary was launched in February 2009 by Arts Council England in association with free paper Metro. Over 200 venues throughout England take part in the scheme. More information is available here.