Arts Engagement & Outreach: December 2025 News

Arts Engagement & Outreach: December News 

Here’s a taste of what our Arts Engagement & Outreach team at The Octagon & Westlands have been busy working on this month… 

Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team develop and deliver programmes and activities that benefit health and wellbeing, enrich learning and education in and outside school, inspire and celebrate talent. Creating work that will support local artists and tell “local stories”. In everything we do and programme we will seek to improve inclusion and remove barriers, whatever they may be, so that everyone is able to enjoy and benefit from the creative arts. Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team look to provide more opportunities for our communities to watch, take part and benefit from arts and cultural activities where they live. 

December sparkled with festive cheer and creativity, from our Panto-in-a- Day which saw 26 young people come together to stage their very own pantomime in 6-hours, to our wonderful Junior Choir filling Malmesbury Court, an independent living residential site, and Yeovil District Hospital with joyful Christmas song. Plus with thanks to our Accessible Ticket Scheme over 400 low-income patrons were able to experience the magic of pantomime for just £3 a ticket! Read all about it and more below… 

Participation 

Octagon Junior Choir Spreads Festive Joy 

During December, 13 members aged between 6 - 13 of the Octagon Junior Choir,  visited and sang to patients at Yeovil District Hospital and residents of Malmesbury Court in Yeovil, with thanks to the Somerset Community Festive Fund. Christmas can be a lonely and isolating time for some, and the young voices of the Junior Choir shared some much-needed festive cheer. Communities were grateful for the performances, with staff of both Yeovil District Hospital and Malmesbury Court, patients and residents joining in by singing along, dancing and accompanying the choir by playing musical percussion instruments. The visits highlighted the positive impact that inter-generational activities can have. The young performers spent time, particularly at Malmesbury Court, talking to residents and sharing stories over drinks and biscuits. Both visits will be repeated in 2026, with a focus on building stronger connections with those who need it most. 

“You’ve put a smile on everyone’s face on this ward since you arrived and I’m going back to finish the rest of my shift with the biggest grin – thank you” Paramedic 

Developing young peoples confidence 

On the first day of the school Christmas holidays, Westlands Entertainment Venue welcomed 26 young people to experience the joy of creating their own pantomime. Thanks to support from Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) and the Happy Healthy Holidays Fund, we were able to offer children in receipt of free school meals the opportunity to attend for free, with their places fully subsidised.  We also received funding to provide SEN support which meant we could offer additional assistance to children with additional needs and ensure our activities remain as open and accessible as possible. Meeting for the first time at 10am, the group had just 6 hours to rehearse, refine, and stage a pantomime to perform to friends and family. Young people aged 7 - 15 threw themselves into learning new dance routines, classic pantomime comedy scenes, and lively musical numbers — collaborating, laughing, and discovering new skills along the way. 

A highlight of the day was the chance to watch the professional cast and technical team of Beauty and the Beast prepare for their matinee performance. Participants were invited to ask behind the scenes questions, gaining a rare glimpse into the teamwork and craft that brings a pantomime to life. 

“I can’t believe you created this in one day!”  Parent 

Creative Learning & Education 

Beauty and the Beast captivates more than 40 schools  

Our 2025 pantomime, Beauty & The Beast, welcomed young people from more than 40 schools. Alongside the production, we invited pupils to take part in our Crackers Inventions activity. Local primary schools submitted wonderfully imaginative entries, which were displayed in the Westlands foyer and read live on-stage during performances. The activity supported children in developing their imagination and deepening their engagement with the story of Beauty and the Beast, while also giving them a meaningful role within the show. The reaction from pupils when their entries were read aloud was audible and joyful. 

"Thank you so much for offering our children the opportunity to participate in this show" Teacher

Broadening students horizons and enriching cultural capital in Somerset schools 

As part of our education programme, 4 Somerset schools, including 2 primary and 2 secondary settings, have been developing dance practice alongside facilitators from the acclaimed Motionhouse Dance Company. The workshops, led by experienced professional dancers, introduced over 130 students to contemporary dance and equipped them with the skills and techniques needed to create original choreography, from physical lifts to expressive storytelling through movement. Students responded with enthusiasm and curiosity, quickly embracing the opportunity to try something new and challenge themselves creatively. Many discovered new strengths, grew in confidence, developed teamwork skills, and gained a strong sense of achievement. 

This programme has made a significant contribution to widening access for young people in Somerset, giving them the opportunity to work directly with professional artists and explore a genre of dance they would not usually encounter in school. Teachers and students reported increased understanding and confidence in professional dance practice. 

“We have had the most wonderful time. The workshops were fantastic and really got the students thinking into dance and what it involves to be a dancer.” Teacher 

Talent Development 

Creative career talks inspire over 1,000 Somerset students 

Over 1,000 pupils from primary and secondary schools have engaged with our creative careers talks this year. In December our Arts Engagement & Outreach team visited both Birchwood Primary School and Manor Court Primary and offered lively introductions to pantomime, including what to expect when visiting The Octagon and Westlands and how productions come together. These sessions featured interactive audience participation, bringing the art form to life for younger students. We also visited Preston and Holyrood secondary schools to deliver focused career talks, shining a light on the wide range of opportunities within the creative industries. These sessions concluded with open Q&A discussions, giving students the chance to explore pathways, ask questions, and gain a clearer understanding of how to take their first steps into creative careers. 

“Our year 9 students learnt loads about the creative industries and what is available locally to them. We look forward to continuing our work with the Arts Engagement and Outreach Team”. Teacher  

Inspiring the next generation 

As part of our professional masterclass series, we were thrilled to welcome West End performer and Octagon & Westlands Panto Fairy, HayleyJo for two dynamic workshops inspired by Mamma Mia!. A total of 25 attendances were recorded across the two sessions, with participants aged 11–17 taking part. In the acting masterclass, Hayley-Jo led participants through a scene used both in the production and in real audition rooms, offering an insider’s glimpse into professional performance practice and the confidence it takes to bring a character to life. The dance workshop saw participants learning a full routine to the show’s iconic title number, taught at a pace that balanced support with challenge, echoing the feel of a real rehearsal room.  

“I enjoyed being able to separate from syllabus work and have fun with the dancing. It was made to be free and enjoyable” Dance participant 

Making the Magic of Pantomime Accessible to All 

We’re thrilled to share that our Accessible Ticket Scheme has offered more than 400 pantomime tickets to low income households and individuals for just £3, made possible through generous funding from Abri Housing Association, Arts Council England (ACE), and Somerset Council — a total subsidy of over £9,854. 

We know that the cost of attending theatre can be a barrier, and we’re proud that this support opened the door to more than 400 moments of laughter, music, and festive joy for people who may not otherwise have been able to experience live performance. Theatre belongs to everyone, and we’re committed to making sure every member of our community feels welcome. Whether someone is stepping into our auditorium for the first time or returning year after year, we want everyone to feel valued, included, and able to share in the joy of live performances. 

“Due to both my own and my husband’s disabilities causing us to change our lives dramatically we are trying to restart lives and access our community, enabling our son to be able to experience the theatre (and other opportunities) that he hasn’t been able to before due to health and financial restraints. This will support this and make such a difference.”  Patron  

For all the information, and to apply, head to https://westlandsyeovil.co.uk/.../accessible-ticket-scheme 

Travel Bursary helps Somerset schools experience the magic of Beauty and the Beast 

For many children and young people, the annual Christmas pantomime is more than just a festive outing — it’s often their very first encounter with live theatre and the wonder that comes with it. We know that school budgets continue to be stretched, and rising transport costs can make it difficult for schools to commit to trips that enrich students’ cultural experiences. 

This year, we were thrilled to support schools attending our 2025 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, by offering a 25% contribution towards their travel costs. Our aim was to make it easier for schools to bring their students to the theatre and ensure that as many young people as possible could enjoy this year’s magical production. 

Thanks to the Travel Bursary, we were able to help more than 750 students from primary and secondary schools across Somerset join us at Westlands Entertainment Venue for a truly enchanting performance. 

Arts for Health & Wellbeing 

Celebrating 2 successful years of our specialist Dance for Health & Wellbeing projects 

We are delighted to mark two years of our specialist Parkinson’s Dance and Movement Through Cancer projects. Both programmes have transformed lives through movement, connection, and joy. Over the past two years, participants have not only discovered the physical benefits of movement but also the emotional and social uplift that comes from dancing together. At our recent endofyear Christmas celebration, dancers reflected on the music and dances they’ve loved throughout the year, created inspiring and joyful endofterm dances, and shared plenty of smiles and laughter over festive treats. We are proud that both projects continue to make a significant difference, supporting and improving overall health and wellbeing, and enabling lives to flourish. 

“It’s such a good start to the week – we all enjoy our dancing together, and it is helping so much improving the muscles. We all leave with a smile on our face, thank you for brightening up our Monday mornings!” Parkinson’s Dance participant 

 Productions & Events  

Celebrating 10 Years of pantomime magic 

We’ve taken a trip down memory lane with an exhibitionthat celebrates the past 10 years of pantomime at The Octagon and Westlands, a decade of laughter, sparkle, and fun! From outrageous costumes to unforgettable characters, it’s a joyful celebration of everything our community has shared together. As you wander through the memories, you’ll spot favourite shows, familiar faces, and scenes that capture the magic of each festive season. Relive the moments that made you cheer and giggle, and join us in honouring the tradition that has brought smiles to our stage year after year. 

To keep up to date with all the activities coming up head over to the What’s On section on our website or check out our Participate page which will link you to all our projects and upcoming opportunities.