Audience Manifesto

At the Rose, our community sits at the heart of all that we do. So after an open consultation with hundreds of our audience members, we have created a manifesto to express the key values that we all share.

This will be a guide to all that we do at the Rose. 

THE ROSE IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE:
 

… its a world-class theatre on my doorstep

… it feels like a home away from home

… its part of what makes Kingston an independent town with its own community centre

… it presents high-quality live theatre at affordable prices in a welcoming venue

… the youth theatre is superb, inclusive and brilliantly inspiring

… it allows me to experience drama in a fun environment and helps me make new friends

… engages with our community and the cafe is a great social hub

… it is a great theatre that puts on amazing productions

… its my local theatre - not all shows are to my taste, but that's how it should be!

IN FUTURE, I WANT THE ROSE TO:
 

… continue to be a beacon that brings the arts to all

… continue to develop community links with schools, the university and all ages in our community

… highlight local talent

… continue to innovate, presenting challenging, engaging and entertaining theatre                      

… be open and full of life again!

I WANT THEATRE THAT:
 

… sparks inspiration and community, and creates a safe space where anyone can come and be welcomed

… is affordable

… is fun, inclusive and exciting for all ages

… captures the senses and leaves a lasting memory

… takes me out of my comfort zone

… challenges and invites the audience to consider a different approach to issues and life.

… is culturally diverse

… that champions new writers of all ages

… is accessible to all and draws in people who might never have considered themselves theatre-goers

… is engaging, experimental, exciting and expressive

… makes me laugh, cry, think, jump and want to dance!

THEATRE MATTERS BECAUSE
 

… it is a living thing that can be experienced in common with other people

… it holds up a mirror to the world and helps us to understand our place in it

… it is a way of reflecting our community, our history, and our hopes

... it opens up a whole cultural world to our children, in all its many forms, and is an essential part of our children’s education

… it broadens horizons, develops creativity and empathy and provides a way to create unity

… live entertainment is vital in an age when so much pre-recorded

… every performance is unique

… because it promotes discourse and through theatre we can enact social change.

… life is very, very dull without it!