Philip Pullman visits Tooley Street children’s theatre

Photo: Adrian Brooks

Unicorn is seeking a final £1.2 million in funding to hit its £13 million target. Pullman toured the theatre to see how building was progressing and provide support for the Unicorn's work and funding goals.

The theatre will play to over 100,000 children per year when it opens in November, providing both high quality theatre and education for children across Southwark and London. The theatre's state of the art facilities, include a 340 seat auditorium, 120 seat studio and education workshops, a cafe and public spaces.

Pullman, a former teacher, and winner of the Guardian Children's Book Award and the Whitbread Book of the Year supports the work of the Unicorn and the power of theatre to transform a child's understanding of the world.

Philip Pullman CBE said: "Unicorn is one of the best things we have in the UK. The new Unicorn Theatre will be a centre of joy, story telling, fun and colour. It will help all the country's children grow and find a sense of themselves and delight them totally."

Southwark residents, schools, businesses, and other organisations are encouraged to help build the Unicorn, and in doing so, have their name recognised alongside stars from British stage and screen such a Dame Judi Dench and Emma Thompson.

Donors can name a seat for £1,000 or buy gold or silver bricks that cost £500 or £100 respectively. Unicorn hopes the appeal's funding options will attract a wide range of local people and organisations to support the theatre. For further information contact the Unicorn on 020 7697 1150 between 10am and 6pm Monday to Friday or visit its website.

Unicorn has worked closely with Philip Pullman previously, adapting his short novel Clockwork into an opera, performed at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House in 2004. He is a Patron and long-term supporter of the Unicorn.