Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the Arts, is the only Dorset venue to join more than a hundred UK theatres offering the biggest ever 2-for-1 ticket offer to National Lottery players who attend a show during the month of March. 

The Love Your Local Theatre initiative has been launched by UK Theatre, the leading theatre membership body, with the aim of encouraging people to support their local theatres as they begin to recover from the impact of Covid. 

Made possible by the support of The National Lottery, the campaign is providing up to £2 million to subsidise over 150,000 tickets across the UK. National Lottery players are being offered the chance to buy one ticket and get another free for participating shows as a thank you for the £30 million they raise every week for Good Causes, including support for the performing arts and theatres during the pandemic. 

Lighthouse is offering 2-for-1 tickets on the following performances: 

Hairspray (1 March)
Alexander Whitely: Overflow (8 March)
English Touring Opera: La Boheme (11 March) and The Golden Cockerel (12 March)
Private Lives (15 March)
Same Time Next Year (25 March)
The Rocky Horror Show (27 March). 

Love Your Local Theatre is being supported by TV presenter, singer and Girls Aloud star, Kimberley Walsh, who has enjoyed performing at theatres and entertainment venues around the UK, many of which have received funding from The National Lottery. 

“We are so privileged to have so many incredible theatres and entertainment venues across the UK; I have been lucky enough to perform in many of them,” she said. “Without our local theatres, the face of UK entertainment would look very different and it’s amazing The National Lottery is providing £2 million to support them. The entertainment industry was particularly impacted by the pandemic, and that’s why the Love Your Local Theatre campaign is so important in supporting their recovery.” 

From classic musicals and beloved plays to family shows, comedy, dance and more, Love Your Local Theatre has brought together theatres from across the UK to give players the chance to experience the magic of live entertainment for less this spring, whilst giving back to their local entertainment communities. 

Stephanie Sirr, President of UK Theatre, said: “We are delighted to be working with The National Lottery on Love Your Local Theatre, the first time UK Theatre members across the country have united for a ticket promotion of this scale. We should be hugely proud in this country to have such an extensive, vibrant and diverse range of regional theatres, all of which play a vital role in the theatre landscape of the UK and beyond. After such a turbulent two years, we want to shout about the fact that theatres are open and ready to reward audiences for their patience and loyalty – please visit your local theatre and help them continue to make brilliant creative work!” 

Nigel Railton, CEO of National Lottery operator Camelot, added: “The UK’s entertainment industry is world-class thanks to the huge variety of venues and projects across the four nations. National Lottery players raise £30 million a week to help fund Good Causes, many of which lie in the entertainment industry. The National Lottery is proud to have teamed up with UK Theatre to launch the Love Your Local Theatre campaign, giving local theatres the support they need to get on the road to recovery following the pandemic, whilst saying thank you to National Lottery players who have helped support many theatres during the last two years.” 

The Love Your Local Theatre promotion is available on a limited number of tickets to anyone who is a National Lottery player and possesses a National Lottery ticket.