schools newsletter Dance • Theatre • Workshops Thu 10-Sun 13 November (Theatre) Thu 10.30am & 5.30pm, Fri 10.30am & 7pm, Sat & Sun 11am & 3pm
Gangsta Granny It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! What Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret - and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine! From the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories comes this amazing story by David Walliams, the UK’s best-selling author for children. Tickets: 10.30am performances: £11.50. Wed 19 October 7.45pm (Studio) Kathryn Barker Productions
The Collector by Henry Naylor 2003. Mazrat Prison, Iraq. Previously one of Saddam’s most notorious torture houses, where more than 10,000 people died, is now under Allied command. Nassir works here, translating for the American interrogators. He’s local, pro-Western, determined to bring liberal values to his country and is about to get married to Zoya, his sweetheart. But when he is recognised by Faisal, a new prisoner and psychotic supporter of the old regime, his life becomes a living hell. A compelling tale of murder, evil and betrayal, The Collector was one of the most highly-acclaimed shows at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival, where it won a prestigious Fringe First Award, and enjoyed a sold-out run at London’s Arcola Theatre. Students: £8.50. Tue 1 November 7.45pm (Studio) AJTC Theatre Company
The Underground Man A life of fascination, obsession and deep scientific curiosity. William John Cavendish Scott-Bentinck, the 5th Duke of Portland, is an eccentric English aristocrat whose imagination and curiosity know no bounds. Adapted from Mick Jackson’s Booker shortlisted novel this is a free-flowing, innovative performance that features live music and a specially commissioned score. A delectable blend of fact and fiction in which the intriguing details of a complex life are richly explored through the vibrant imagination of a gentle soul. Suitable for ages 14+ Students: £8.50.
Thu 10 November 7.45pm (Studio) 2 Bit Classics
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 21 characters, 2 actors and 1 one of the most romantic stories of all time. Over 200 years after the nation’s favourite novel was published, this highly praised, sparklingly fresh stage adaptation comes to Crawley. A brand new, fast and very funny interpretation of one of the most romantic stories ever written. The five Bennett sisters and the whole world of Austen and some of her other well-loved characters brought to life by just two actors in a treat not to be missed. Addressing SMSC priorities, Pride & Prejudice will help teachers and students study issues of human relationships, social responsibility, liberty, tolerance and powerlessness. English Studies Engaging with GCSE & A Level, Nat 4/5 and Advance Higher English Literature studies in order to: • Respond to texts critically and imaginatively • Explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings • Relate texts to their social, cultural and historical contexts Drama, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts The production is highly relevent to those studying Drama, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts at GCSE, A Level or Level 2/3 BTEC in terms of: Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers. Opportunity to explore the rehearsal process: Gaining contextual understanding of the Performing Arts industry. The company also offer in-school creative study workshops. For more information go to: http:// twobitclassics.blogspot.co.uk/p/education.html Students: £11.50. Groups 10 or more: £10.50
Tue 8 & Wed 9 November 7.30pm (Studio) Pitchy Breath
Wed 12 October 7pm Royal Shakespeare Company Live
Playing with Fire
King Lear
Pitchy Breath Theatre Company present a series of short plays about risky decisions, troublemakers and the consequences of our actions. Tickets: £10 (discounts: £9) An Arts Development (non-professional) event
Antony Sher plays King Lear, one of the greatest parts written by Shakespeare, in one of his most epic plays,
Fri 25 & Sat 26 November (Theatre) 7.30pm and Sat 2.30pm English Youth Ballet
The Entertainer
Swan Lake English Youth Ballet presents a magical brand new production of Swan Lake. EYB’s professional principal dancers lead a large cast of up to 100 young talented dancers in a highly acclaimed company offering aspiring ballet students an opportunity to showcase their talents on a major stage in a full-length classical ballet production. Groups of 10 or more: £20 with 1 free in every 10. Thu 30 & Fri 31 March 7.30pm (Theatre) Icarus Theatre
Hamlet: Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare Shakespeare for the Game of Thrones generation. A company of seasoned classical actors embrace the brutality of the greatest play ever written. A gripping, ensemble style brings exhilaration and violence to the unforgettable music and delicacy of the words. Blending traditional and physical theatre with a musical score, this muscular production brings vividly to life some of literature’s most vibrant language and characters in a way you’ve never seen before: bold, muscular, and action-packed. See education resources and available workshops see Icarustheatre.co.uk Tickets: £8.50
Thu 27 October 7pm Branagh Theatre Company Live John Osborne’s modern classic conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an explosive examination of public masks and private torment. Kenneth Branagh stars as Archie Rice.
Half Term Workshops Hawth Youth Theatre Led by theatre professional Sarah Slator, the weekly sessions will explore all aspects of theatre, including acting, voice and movement and will run on Thursdays at 5pm (11-14 years) and 7.15pm (15-18 years). To find out more call 01293 553636 or email hawthYT@parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
October Half Term: Silent Movie Masterclass Thursday 27 and Friday 28 October 10.30am 3.30pm For ages 11-18. Learn the skills needed to make your own silent movie inspired theatre performance that will be performed to parents and friends on Friday afternoon at 4pm. Price: £30 (£20 for THYT members)
February Half Term Storytelling Masterclass How can you bring a story to life through voice and movement on stage? Learn the skills to turn a simple story into a magical experience for a theatre audience.
Live Satellite Screenings
street dance workshops
Wed 28 September 7pm Royal Shakespeare Company Live
House with Bagsy
Cymbeline Melly Still directs Shakespeare’s rarely performed romance.
Mon 24 October
Workshops for both beginners and intermediate dancers with the dancer, DJ and teacher 7-11 year olds (10am-11am) and 12-18 year olds (11.15am12.30pm).
Thu 29 September 7pm National Theatre Live
Tue 25 October
The Threepenny Opera
Breakin workshop with award-winning hip hop dancer JP. Workshops for both beginners and intermediate dancers 7-11 year olds (10am-11am) and 12-18 year olds (11.15am-12.30pm). Tickets: £10 per session (£15 for both Monday and Tuesday sessions).
A darkly comic take on Brecht and Weill’s raucous musical broadcast live from the stage. Contains scenes of a sexual nature, violence and filthy language. Suitable for ages 15+
Breakin with JP Omara
Box Office: 01293 553636 • Online: www.hawth.co.uk
Coming to The Hawth this autumn is the world premiere of GANGSTA GRANNY by David Walliams, the UK’s bestselling children’s author. This wonderful new play is suitable for pupils at infant, junior and middle school level (4 to 12) and it will help you cover part of the National Curriculum. School performances are on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 November at 10.30am. Tickets are £11.50 and free for teachers on duty and a school can claim back the VAT reducing the tickets to £9.58. Our theatre staff are here to make your visit as easy and stress free as possible! It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! With cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake to eat and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be so boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could possibly imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny! The show follows Birmingham Stage Company’s hugely popular shows Horrible Histories, Tom’s Midnight Garden and James and the Giant Peach. We look forward to seeing you at this amazing children’s adventure! WHAT THE PAPERS SAY ABOUT GANGSTA GRANNY! ★★★★ “Kids a loved this show” Daily Telegraph
“bright, lightweight and fun… a gleeful mischief at play that wins an abundance of giggles and gasps… a gran worth grabbing” The Times **** “a cracker of a show, brilliantly adapted and directed, which comes with a smashing cast. Great fun” The Mail on Sunday ★★★★ “The Birmingham Stage Company have done it again, brought to life a priceless treasure of a book and turned it into a kid’s masterpiece... a breathless two-hour romp”Birmingham Mail WHAT TEACHERS SAY ABOUT BSC SHOWS!
“It captured the spirit of the book beautifully and we loved the music and special effects – bravo!” Dame Bradbury’s School “Excellent – our pupils were fully engaged and our staff thought it was even better than the book!” Lanesborough School “One of the best productions we’ve ever seen. The children were in awe!” Moorlands School
To book tickets call 01293 553636