Dear many friends of ICT,

As you might know, our play Brainstorm recently went live on iPlayer. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p037yjfp/brainstorm

It feels like such a big moment for us.  And not just because it's the BBC and well posh and that.

Ever since I started our company I have thought near-constantly about why we exist.  That thinking is shaped every day by incredible people like Adam, Sarah, all our associates and trustees and, most of all, our members.

It's taken a long time, and I'm sure it will shift again, but for now, I feel really sure that the most important thing we can do is provide a space in which young people can talk to adults - and where adults will listen and maybe treat young people better as a result.

What's exciting about that is that it gives us a real, political reason to exist.  And, while it doesn't just tie us to making theatre, it is really affirming that theatre feels like the most pure and brilliant expression of it.

If you know our young people, and most of you do in some way, then you'll know why that space is so, so important.

And it's why having Brainstorm on iPlayer is massive: we can reach audiences we might never have reached.  People who don't go to the theatre, people who don't live in London, people we've never met before.  Politicians, bus drivers, shop keepers, teachers, parents - everyone who has some influence over young people's lives (and that's kind of everyone).

So I wondered if I might ask you all to help reach them?  To use your networks and tell people - not just theatre/charity people, real people* - who may never otherwise watch it.  Especially those in positions of power, or who can spread the word further, or who might really change their opinion if they watch it. 

I'd love to get it in every school in the country too, if anyone can help with that.

Brainstorm is born of endless hours of joyous, frustrating, painstaking work. Making it with the astonishing, deeply talented Emily Lim has taught me so much about what our company should be and about young people generally.    It feels fundamental to our work in so many ways.

I'd love to spread it as far and wide as we can. 

We've got 28 days on iPlayer and counting - please help!

Ned x

* and highly influential celebrities, obviously