‘Ticket Bank’ to offer free access to London theatre shows

The Ticket Bank will also offer access to music, comedy and dance, with institutions such as the Barbican and the National Theatre signed up to the scheme. Photograph: David M Benett/Getty

Unsold theatre tickets are to be given to people struggling with the cost of living in a cultural variation on food banks.

A London scheme, to be launched in the new year, will make about 1,000 tickets available each week to those who cannot afford to pay for cultural activities.