Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is celebrating the incredible generosity of Joan Lucas, a 94-year-old lifelong theatre lover who has made it possible for over 1,000 children to experience the magic of live performance for the first time.

Joan, who attended her first theatre show at the age of four in 1935, created The Joan Lucas Fund in October 2018. Since then, she has donated more than £12,000 to help children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, access the arts.

Her inspiration came from her grammar school days in Birmingham, where a similar initiative allowed her to attend theatre for just nine pence. Now, through her own fund, Joan has ensured that young people from the South West can experience that same joy.

'I have no family to leave my money to,' said Joan. 'I'm trying to do something meaningful with it. It's incredibly rewarding. Hopefully, children who might never have been taken to the theatre can now see a wonderful show.'

Thanks to her funding, at least two schools per year have attended performances at TRP, reaching around 1,150 children. These include beloved productions like Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, and The House With Chicken Legs.

This spring marked the fund's final supported trip, with over 70 students from Drake and Morice Town Primary Schools attending The Little Red Hen. After the show, children integrated the story into their lessons and participated in TRP’s Tiny Tales project, even crafting a heartfelt thank you card for Joan.

James Wheatley, Membership Manager at TRP, expressed his gratitude: 'We’re so thankful for all Joan has done. So many children have experienced theatre for the first time thanks to her. I hope many of them have discovered a lasting love for the arts.'

In past years, Joan also funded bursaries for TRP’s Young Company, enabling children to join regular workshops aimed at developing creative and performance skills. Many of these children would not have had such opportunities otherwise.

Joan Lucas has truly left a legacy that will inspire future generations, opening doors to imagination, creativity, and cultural enrichment through live theatre.