StageDirections 48

for members of the Teachers’ Preview Club

Stage directions Issue 48 Nov/Dec/Jan 2011-12 www.mousetrap.org.uk

how to book

DEAR TEACHERS

• W e hope that you find your membership a useful resource. The ‘Preview’ in the Teachers’ Preview Club is designed to help you see theatre productions with a view to taking your class.

We hope that you continue to use your membership to preview productions before taking your students. The Teachers’ Preview Club is part of a wider scheme of work by Mousetrap Theatre Projects, an independent charity whose aim is to open doors to theatre for young people who would never usually have this experience.

• Y ou are entitled to book two tickets to preview productions.

Group Line is the Teachers’ Preview Club’s ticketing partner for West End shows, and the UK’s only multi-award winning ticket agency and the number one choice for school group bookers.

You can enjoy savings of up to 70% on top price tickets for all major West End productions when booking seats for your school group through Group Line.

• Y ou can preview as many or as few productions as you wish.

Attached below is a GroupLine card for you to keep to hand when you feel inspired to take your students to see some top London theatre.

With best wishes, Elly Hopkins

• W hen booking your tickets, you will be asked for your TPC membership number on your membership card.

You may be asked to present your TPC card when collecting your tickets at Box Offices.

• All tickets are subject to availability.

• T ickets CANNOT be transferred or bought on behalf of others.

• B ooking numbers and / or online booking details are listed under each production entry.

• I f there are any changes in production dates or booking details after this magazine’s publication, you will receive an email with the updated information.

• T o log on to the website you will need your username – firstname. surname and a password. Unless you otherwise specify your password will be automatically be set to ‘mousetrap’.

• I f we have your email, you will also receive additional theatre offers during the quarter.

• Y our membership will expire exactly one year after you join, when we will write to you to remind you to renew.

* For lost membership cards, to register your email, reset your password, or renew your membership, call the TPC on 020 7240 1248 or email nancy@mousetrap.org.uk

COOL HAND LUKE @ ALDWYCH

WEST END

3 DAYS IN MAY

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS @ PLAYHOUSE

THEATRE

Inspired by the smash hit albums, Dreamboats and Petticoats the musical features all the greatest hits of the rock ‘n’ roll era!

TICKETS £15 / All Ages / Mon–Thurs 7.30pm / Until End Jan / To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

MOUSETRAP THEATRE PROJECTS ...inspiring young people

Bill Kenwright presents Warren Clarke playing Winston Churchill in the World Premiere of Ben Brown’s thrilling political drama.

May 1940… Downing Street…

Three days that will change the course of history… Forever.

Taking us behind the doors of Number Ten during three of the most pivotal days in British History, when, extraordinarily, giving in to Hitler was considered by some to be a ‘viable option’.

TICKETS £15 / Mon – Thurs / Until end of Jan / Ages 12 + / To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

WEST END

@

GHOST THE MUSICAL @ PICCADILLY THEATRE

BLOOD BROTHERS

Follow us on

Join us on

@ PHOENIX

4

THEATRE

Beneath a scorching Florida sun, Boss Godfrey watches the chain gang. Keeps his eye on Cool Hand Luke. War hero, trouble-maker, inspiration to his fellow inmates. And just the man Boss wants to crush... In a powerful new adaptation for the stage starring Mark Warren (Hustle, Mad Dogs) based on Donn Pearce’s acclaimed novel, Cool Hand Luke is the raw, uncompromising tale of sticking it to “The Man”.

TICKETS £15 / Until 17 Nov / Mon-Thurs 7.30pm / Ages 16+ / To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

THEATRE

The captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. The incredible score includes ‘Bright New Day’, ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and the emotionally charged hit ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’. Presented by Bill Kenwright.

TICKETS £15 / Mon–Thurs 7.45pm & Weds 3pm / Until end Jan / To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

“A new West End hit has landed” Time Out Recognising the importance of introducing young people to the world of high quality theatre, GHOST offers a thrilling insight into classic drama themes: loss, betrayal, love, ambition, the supernatural and death.

Teachers are invited to preview GHOST with a view to using this thrilling production to engage and stimulate students in their core curriculum studies, and develop vital skills.

Suitable for Key Stage 3, GSCE, A Level students of English Language, English Literature, as well as extension ideas in RE, PSHE, media and Theatre Studies.

TICKETS £20 / Mon – Wed at 7.30pm / 2 Jan – 1 Feb 2012 (subject to avail) / To book call 020 7478 8806 (10.30am-5.30pm)

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LEGALLY BLONDE

WICKED

This all singing, all dancing, feel good musical comedy will be the highlight of your year. Legally Blonde the Musical will take you from the social whirl of California Campus life to Harvard’s Halls of Justice with the West End’s brightest new heroine (and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser). The verdict? This much fun shouldn’t be legal!

TICKETS £15 / Mon-Thurs @ 7.30pm / 11 Nov – End Jan (Exc 19 - 29 Dec) / Ages 7+/ To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

Was the Wicked Witch of the West really wicked or the victim of a corrupt regime? You might think you know the whole story about the Land of Oz, but this awardwinning stage production skillfully and accessibly encourages pupils to look at things very differently.

TICKETS £15 / Ages 7+ / Mon – Thurs at 7.30pm and Weds at 2.30pm / Until end Jan / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

@ THE

SAVOY THEATRE

@ APOLLO

VICTORIA

THE WIZARD OF OZ

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

WEST END

@ NOEL

COWARD THEATRE

Million Dollar Quartet provides a unique insight for students to discover how rock ‘n’ roll inspired and defined a generation through its telling of the electrifying story of the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music, and ended up making history…

TICKETS £15 / Ages 7+ / Mon – Weds at 8pm / Until 11 Jan / To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

THE WOMAN IN BLACK SHREK

@ THEATRE

@ FORTUNE

ROYAL DRURY LANE

Featuring all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem ‘I’m a Believer’, Shrek The Musical brings the well loved characters to life, in a hilarious and spectacular new production based on the story and characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film. The world of fairytales is turned upside down in an all singing, all dancing, irresistible mix of adventure, laughter and romance.

TICKETS £20 (upper circle / 1 – 18 Nov Mon-Thurs perfs / To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

STOMP

@ AMBASSADORS

THE 39 STEPS THEATRE

This multi-award winning show has a universal language of rhythm, theatre, comedy and dance. Eight performers use everything from Zippo lighters, plastic bags, bin lids and even the kitchen sink to hammer out an explosively feel good rhythm.

TICKETS £15 (+ £2.50 booking fee) / Mon at 8pm, Thurs at 3pm / End Jan / to book call 0844 8112 334 and quote ‘Teachers Preview Club’

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THEATRE

The most terrifying live theatre experience in the world.

Celebrating over 23 years in the West End with over 7 million people having lived to tell the tale The Woman in Black is of one of the most exciting, gripping and successful theatre events ever stage.

TICKETS £16 / Ages 12+ / Monday – Saturday perfs / Until end Jan / Education pack available from www.thewomaninblack.com / To book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

WEST END

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

Palladium

Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit production of The Wizard of Oz. Starring Michael Crawford as The Wizard and Danielle Hope (winner of the BBC’s smash hit Over the Rainbow) as Dorothy.

TICKETS £15 / ages 7+ / Tues at 7pm, Wed and Thur at 7.30pm, and Wed at 2.30pm / Until end Jan / to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

@ London

Two tickets per cardholder. All tickets to be collected at the Box Office and strictly only released upon production of a valid TPC membership card.

@ CRITERION

THEATRE

A huge hit both in the West End and on Broadway, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller The 39 Steps is hilariously recreated on stage as the Olivier and Tony award winning ‘Best Comedy’. The wonderfully inventive show features four fearless actors playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun. Workshops available and 46-page education pack downloadable at www.love39steps.com TICKETS £15 / Ages 7+ / Mon–Fri at 8pm and Wed at 3pm / Until end Jan/ to book call 020 7907 7069 or login at www.mousetrap.org.uk

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by John Scarborough, Education Officer at Delfont Mackintosh

I would think that most of you have keys to open doors and that is as much as I can think you can expect. None of us can do it all.

As the Education Officer for Delfont Mackintosh Theatres this is what I am trying to do on a limited basis, of course always baring in mind that as part of the commercial sector I have investors, theatre angels and my BOSS to respond to so I can’t get a grant to go and do this, but that has not stopped us from saying there are things we can do.

It is essential to remember that teachers are not tour operators and the booking process should be as easy as possible. As such, communication, reasonable holding dates, extra resources like our workshops, backstage tours post show Q&As are crucial in making a trip to one of our productions or theatres as straightforward as possible.

These days schools are, I find, having to look for more out of their visit than just a trip to see a production. They are required in many cases to provide that ‘Learning Outcome’.

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to work on many of Cameron Mackintosh’s productions and had the chance to offer some exciting events to enable schools to tick the Learning

Currently we offer a drama workshop, a choral workshop and a backstage tour for Les Misérables, a workshop and post show Q&A for The Phantom of The Opera, drama workshops for Mamma Mia! and Million Dollar Quartet, all of which are supported with downloadable on line resource packs.

We have in the recent past offered a Drama workshop for our productions of Oliver, and puppet workshops for Avenue Q and Betty Blue Eyes. We also ran drama workshops for the visiting productions of ENRON, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and An Inspector Calls.

In 2007 we embarked on a work experience programme offering students the opportunity to spend a week at one of three theatres in the group. The Queens Theatre Les Misérables, Prince of Wales Theatre, Mamma Mia! and the Prince Edward Theatre Jersey Boys.

To date 188 successful applicants have spent five days in five departments, Box Office, Elecs, FOH, Theatre Management and Stage Management, giving the students the opportunity to see first hand the day-to-day life of a busy West End Theatre. Hopefully expanding their views of the opportunities within our industry.

EDUCATION INSIGHT

is the name of the game, and we must have a learning outcome…

WHY ?

If we, and by that I mean the collective intellectual reading this article, know that the arts are inherently a ‘Good Thing’ for most people, then the best thing to happen would be exposure on a grand scale to all sorts of arts.

Outcome Box, thus enabling the powers that be to authorise the trip.

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

Education, Education, Education

When Mr. Small, my inspirational English and Drama teacher, took us to concerts, plays, ballet and musicals, I was never aware that we had to have a specific learning outcome as we are told today.

Maybe he was more subtle at teaching than I gave him credit for!

Cameron Mackintosh continues his investment today with major ongoing refurbishment programmes of the seven theatres within the group, making them as accessible as possible to all our patrons be they groups, individuals, young, older or patrons with specific access needs.

John Scarborough

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LYRIC HAMMERSMITH

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Lucy Jackson for Nusu Nusu Productions in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre presents the world premiere of

Fanta Orange

By Sally Woodcock Inspired by a real Amnesty International report, Fanta Orange is a playful and unexpected tale that gets under the skin of modern Africa.

Regina is a Kenyan house servant, Roger the white farmer boss. Enter Ronnie, a privileged English girl who is studying the practice of dirt-eating among local tribes. Soon a saga unfolds, challenging every racial and sexual preconception.

Workshops available with Director Gareth Machin (former National Theatre Studio Associate, newly Artistic Director at Salisbury Playhouse) & playwright Sal Woodcock, subject to discussion and arrangement.

Contact Lucy Jackson at lucy.jackson@gmail.com or on 07940 538 198.

TICKETS £5 / 1 – 13 Nov 7.30pm / Only available online: visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk and enter promotional code TEACHERS at checkout.

FOG

by Tash Fairbanks and Toby Wharton, directed by Che Walker …… two families, one white and dysfunctional, the other black and aspiring.

Fog is a teenage boy who, along with his sister, is put into care by their soldier father, following the death of the mother.

When their father, Cannon, returns ten years later to reassemble his family around him, he is not able to comprehend this ‘new’ England he finds, nor is he prepared for the damage that abandonment and an inadequate care system has wreaked on his children........

Following the success of Three Sisters and Twelfth Night, Filter returns to collaborate with Lyric Artistic Director Sean Holmes to remix and rework Shakespeare’s classic play from 09 Feb to 17 Mar. With school tickets just £12.50, this is a unique opportunity for education audiences to see the play in a whole new light.

A range of schools’ workshops are available, call 0871 22 117 22 for more details.

TICKETS £5 / 10 - 11 Feb / Teachers go FREE with School group bookings / Ages 14+

AROUND TOWN

To book call 0871 221 1729 or www.lyric.co.uk and quote ‘Mousetrap’ Hammersmith

Box Office 0844 847 1652 Book online at www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk West Brompton /Earls Court

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

AROUND TOWN MOUSETRAP THEATRE PROJECTS ...inspiring young people

Finborough Theatre

PEACOCK theatre Call 0844 412 4322 and quote “Teacher’s Preview Club offer” Holborn/Temple

Outreach workshops for both mainstream and ‘special’ schools and colleges.

TICKETS 3 & 4 Jan £9 | £5 tickets for U30’s 3 - 8 Jan (online only) / Tues - Sats @ 7.30pm & Sun Mats @3pm

The Snowman – Live on Stage

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With its wonderful mix of storytelling, spectacle, dance and music performed by a live orchestra, the show based on Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman is perfect to introduce kids to the magic of theatre.

TICKETS £15 (best available seats) / Wed 30 Nov, Wed 1 Dec, Thu 2 Dec, 7pm / Suitable for all ages

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POLKA THEATRE WIMBLEDON

To book call 020 8543 4888 and quote ‘Teachers’ Preview’ Wimbledon

RICHMOND THEATRE

To book please call the Box Office on 0844 871 7651 and quote ‘StageDirections Offer’. Groups of 10+ should call the Groups Hotline on 0844 871 7696 to receive group discounts.

Richmond

Book by calling the Box Office on 08444 821 556 and quote ‘Teachers’ Preview’ Kingston

TWINKLE TWONKLE

Inspired by nursery rhymes and the Big Bang, and devised in association with The Royal Society, this show full of stories, music and the mystery of space will lift you up, up and away.

Stella loves the stars. Every evening she gazes at them through her telescope. But one night her little brother Ryan wishes on a star, extends the telescope all the way and starts climbing up it. Stella follows him. But something is wrong in the night sky. There’s Pegasus the flying horse - but theres also a cow jumping over the moon. And the Great Bear and the Little Bear have been joined by a medium-sized bear.

TICKETS £5 / Tue 29 Nov – Thur 15 Dec / 10am & 2.30pm / Ages 4+

AROUND TOWN

ROYAL COURT THEATRE

To book please call the Box Office on 020 7565 5000 and quote ‘Teachers’ Sloane Square

DIRECTIONS .org.uk

Following an award-winning West End run and a sell-out week in Richmond, Calendar Girls is coming back one last time as part of its last ever tour. Based on an inspiring true story, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious.

TICKETS £15 / Mon 28 Nov – Sat 3 Dec

Charlotte’s Web

Come and meet the award-winning pig!

Wilbur’s no ordinary farmhouse pig and he’d do anything to avoid ending up on the dinner table.

But help arrives from the most unlikely of places....a spider’s web, in the corner of the barn. As Wilbur grows bigger and plumper, his friendship with the tiny spider Charlotte grows too. But how far will she go to save her best friend?

Casting a web of enchantment over children and adults this winter, E.B. White’s classic is brought to life in the best tradition of Polka’s shows, with magic, excitement, songs and unforgettable characters. Will Charlotte and Fern, the famer’s daughter, be able to save the “terrific” and “radiant” Wilbur? Head to Polka to find out!

TICKETS Free teacher preview tickets / 15 – 18 November / Schools £10 (with a free teacher with every 10 tickets booked). Key Stages 1 & 2 (ages 5 – 11 years)

by Hans Christian Andersen Once upon a time there were two friends, Cei and Gerda. They did everything together and were inseparable. But one cold night Cei falls under the spell of the evil Snow Queen and is whisked away on her sleigh to the icy palace far away. Can Gerda save Cei from the Snow Queen?

This beautiful Christmas show, adapted from the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale charts the psychological, moral and physical journey of Gerda through four seasons from youth to adulthood, in this coming-of-age story.

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

Calendar Girls

TOWN

THE SNOW QUEEN

E.B. White’s

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ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON

Education Pack will be available / bespoke workshops can be organised TICKETS £3 off top price tickets / Fri 2 Dec - Thurs 7 Dec / All Ages

ROUNDHOUSE / STUDIO book your ticketsTheatre To please call 020 7424 6776 or email marketing@roundhouse.org.uk Chalk Farm / Camden Town

Cinderella

You and your family are invited to the royal event of the year! Jenny Eclair is making her Richmond Theatre pantomime debut in Cinderella – the ultimate rags-toriches fairy tale. She will be joined by the legendary star of stage and screen Gary Wilmot as Buttons, and Kellie Shirley as Cinderella.

TICKETS £15 / Wed 4 Jan, Thu 5 Jan, Mon 9 Jan, Thu 12 Jan, Fri 13 Jan

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Haunted Child

By Joe Penhall A small boy is driving his mother to distraction – waking at night, hearing phantom noises and fixating on his absent father. When he glimpses a figure prowling the house at night, a shadow is cast which gradually strips away his childhood certainties.

This chilling and unsettling play asks demanding questions about the things we believe and their consequences. Directed by Jeremy Herrin. Cast includes Sophie Okonedo and Ben Daniels.

TICKETS £15 / Fri 2 Dec – Wed 7 Dec / Ages 14 +

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SADLERS WELLS

UNICORN Theatre

To book call 0844 412 4300 and quote ‘Teachers Preview Club’ Angel

SOHO Theatre

Hideki Noda is famous for bringing innovative interpretations and subversions of traditional Japanese theatre to an international audience. With a striking visual style and complex and witty use of wordplay, The Bee creates a separate theatrical world in which victims can become aggressors, and examines the psychological motivations and consequences behind bitter revenge. Internationally acclaimed, this is its second run at Soho Theatre.

HHHHH ‘A highly unusual theatrical gem: part slapstick comedy, part satire, part macabre dance’ Time Out MATINEE TICKETS £10 / Thu 26 Jan, Sat 28 Jan, Thu 2 Feb, Sat 4 Feb, Thu 9 Feb and Sat 11 Feb at 3pm’

To book call 020 7478 0100 or visit www.sohotheatre.com Tottenham Court Road/Leicester Square

20 Stories High in association with Liverpool Everyman Playhouse, present

Blackberry Trout Face

Leading Liverpool based theatre company present a bold, gritty and funny play that explores family, loyalty and ambition.

This show is the ideal resource for young people, encouraging them to explore themes and issues relevant to them and their communities. Supporting the Citizen Curriculum at KS3 and 4, the project focuses on exploring drug use, bullying, gangs and crime, parenting and families and young carers.

TICKETS: £8 / 22 – 26 Nov / Ages 13+

23 November - 8 January Unicorn Theatre presents

The Snow Queen

This magical re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale will transport your pupils across the colourful lands of India, from the rugged hills of the Chambals and busy Bombay streets to the glitzy world of Bollywood and the snow covered Himalayas in an adventure that they’ll never forget.

TICKETS £10 / 23 November - 8 January / Ages 7+

AROUND TOWN

A double-bill of dance featuring a new work which follows an action packed day as seen through the eyes of a child, plus the classic RainForest by the late master Merce Cunningham.

Featuring an introduction by Artistic Director Mark Baldwin and some of the dancers, this is the perfect way to get to know the UK’s national contemporary dance company.

TICKETS £10 (best available seats) / Saturday 19 November, 2.30pm / Suitable for ages 10+

THE BEE

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

DIRECTIONS .org.uk

AROUND TOWN

RAMBERT DANCE COMPANY

To book call: 020 7645 0560 and quote ‘Teacher Preview’ London Bridge

AUDIENCE A WALK ON PART

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Spanning eleven years of political history, this adaptation of MP Chris Mullin’s diaries documents the rise and fall of New Labour from 1999-2010, taking in the events 9/11, the war in Iraq, the 7/7 bombings and the financial crisis. A satirical slant and personal insight show the hidden cogs of the governmental machine in an exciting period of history, in an accessible and dryly humorous way HHHH ‘Fast paced and very funny theatrical entertainment’ Guardian TICKETS £10 / 15-17 November

Tue 6 December – Sat 7 January, 7.30pm. Tickets from just £10.

Ontroerend Goed is a theatre performance group that have a reputation for creating powerful participatory theatre with young people. Following their critically acclaimed Once And For All We’re Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up And Listen, they are back with Audience, which became the most talked about show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. An exciting example of the possibilities and technical innovations of immersive, experimental theatre.

HHHHH ‘Asks some very serious questions about contemporary society and the ways in which the public are being turned into performers and sources of entertainment.’ British Theatre Guide TICKETS £10 / 6-10 December @7.30pm

Oily Cart presents

Ring a Ding Ding

Following their hugely popular performances of How Long is a Piece of String and Mole in the Hole, Oily Cart - Britain’s best-loved creators of theatre for young people - return with an immersive, interactive and multi-sensory show for children aged 3-6.

TICKETS £8 / 3 – 30 December / Ages 3+

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THE WIZARD OF OZ

In the education pack, which was created specially for this new West End production,

by Anna Darvas and me, we developed over forty pages of classroom activities, which range from Foundation Stage to post-16 drama and vocational performing arts.

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For the youngest children, preparation is key. The pack gives teachers a synopsis and a number of questions to raise with the children about what they may expect when they come to the theatre. Projecting some of the pages onto your interactive whiteboard will ensure your pupils are familiar with the characters and will give them important points of recognition.

For older children and young people, background information on the production process will give them a deeper sense of enjoyment, making them feel part of the show with their privileged ‘insider’ knowledge.

Follow-up work ranges from science explorations on rainbows and tornadoes to

art and design, music, IT and geography activities, including making your own magic lantern show. Worksheets, quizzes and well-researched factual background information should ensure the benefit of the theatre trip will outlast the visit itself by several weeks. All the material in the education pack is deliberately designed to offer non-specialists a way into aspects of the curriculum, with which they may be less familiar.

The famous songs from the film feature in the musical along with new work by Andrew Lloyd Webber - the pack includes six pages of ideas and instruction on study of the songs, from both a drama and music theory perspective. For English and literacy, there are creative writing activities to encourage students to experiment with rhyming, using the famous rhymes from the story as inspiration – there are even parallels drawn with rap music! A twentystep guide to creating a critical review of the show will enable discussion and GCSE drama writing.

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

Why not start with friendship? Dorothy and Toto have a loyalty which proves life-saving, and when they meet the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion, they accept them, despite their differences and difficulties. Together this group of friends supports one another to solve problems, deal with disappointment and make difficult decisions in the face of terrible danger. The Wicked Witch of the West is like many small time bullies, hurling threats and manipulating her gang of flying monkeys, when all it takes to finish her off is a little quick thinking and a good dose of positive self-esteem.

WIZARD OF OZ

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz is now showing at the London Palladium, starring Danielle Hope, winner of BBC’s Over the Rainbow as Dorothy. It’s a show packed full of themes, ideas, visual stimulus and, of course music, which could easily inspire a whole term’s work right across the curriculum from primary to secondary.

When I wrote the pack with Anna I was really excited about schools being able to see The Wizard of Oz. The sheer spectacle of this production has stayed with me ever since I saw it. It really is wonderful! I hope that thousands of young people will get a chance to see this, as it won’t fail to inspire them.”

The Education Resource Pack is free and downloadable from: www.wizardofozthemusical.com/about/ education/

By Helen Cadbury

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Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors & Vile Victorians are on tour again in 2012 using actors & amazing 3D effects to show audiences (ages 5+) what it was really like to live in these times - free teachers notes on www. birminghamstage.com/education Thursday 26 January 7pm Vile Victorians: The Capitol Horsham Box Office 01403 750220 Tuesday 31 Jan at 7pm Terrible Tudors: Assembly Hall Theatre Tunbridge Wells Box Office 01892 530613

The Firework-Maker’s Daughter Philip Pullman’s wonderful story brought to life on stage showing Lila’s quest to become a firework maker like her father - lots of fun & adventure for ages 5+ Sat 21 Jan at 2.30pm The Bloomsbury Theatre London WC1 Box Office 020 7388 8822 2 for 1 on tickets for TPC members

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be found - a convent!

Disguised as a nun she makes the wrong impression on the strict Mother Superior. But when she transforms the choir into the most glorious musical act in town, Deloris forms a lasting bond with her newfound friends… and the gang that’s chasing her finds itself up against an unstoppable team of soulful sisters!

Based on the movie of the same name, this fabulous, family-friendly, feel-good show is packed with songs inspired by Motown, funk, soul & disco, which more than a million people saw in the West End!

ON TOUR

SISTER ACT

STAGE DIRECTIONS mousetrap.org.uk

ON TOUR MOUSETRAP THEATRE PROJECTS ...inspiring young people

Whoopi Goldberg & Stage Entertainment present

Take a look at the tour schedule at www.sisteractthemusical.com/tour to see where Sister Act is visiting near you.

School price tickets are between £9 and £20 with some free teacher tickets also available in some venues. Call the Box Office of your nearest venue for details.

2 for 1 on tickets for TPC members

Where are yo Get in touch to u? let us know which re giona theatres you wo l uld like to see in StageDirection s

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Special Event LES MISERABLES @

QUEENS THEATRE + pre-show talk

Cameron Mackintosh’s legendary production of Boublil and Schonberg’s Les Miserables is indisputably the world’s most popular musical - seen by over 57 million people worldwide in 42 countries, 291 cities and sung in 21 different languages. The epic show includes the songs I Dreamed A Dream, Do You Hear the People Sing, Bring Him Home and many more. This spectacular adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece continues to thrill audiences night after night.

Thursday 19 January 2012 Join us for this wonderful production with a special TPC pre-show talk from 6pm at the Queens Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.

TICKETS £22.50 email elly@mousetrap.org.uk to book.

Family First Nights ICAP Theatre Journeys Play the Critic

inspiring young people

Mousetrap Theatre Projects’ latest NEWS Family First Nights

Play the Critic

Mousetrap Theatre Projects ran its Family First Nights programme for the 13th year this past summer. This 5-week programme enabled families identified by 500 social service agencies, charities, community organisations and housing associations to attend theatre for the first time with £5 tickets. 427 families, representing 1,808 family members of which 1,032 were young people between the ages of 3 – 16, had a choice of 18 top West End shows. This summer we also offered family workshops for the first time – 2 each for Stomp and Wicked – which were hugely oversubscribed and a major success.

On the education front, we are offering our well-loved Play the Critic programme for theatre, dance and music this term. Each programme begins with students visiting a production followed by a masterclass where they hear from the director and two critics – learning how to analyse and write a critical review. Students then go on to write a review of a production they have seen independently and meet with one of the two critics to discuss their critical review in a one-to-one tutorial.

Critics participating in Play the Critic are Georgina Brown (Sunday Telegraph), Lyn Gardner (The Guardian), Judith Mackrell (The Guardian), Benedict Nightingale (freelance), Libby Purves (The Times), Edward Seckerson (The Times), Lyndsey Winship (Time Out) and Matt Wolf (International Herald Tribune).

TheatreOpeners & The ICAP Theatre Journeys for Special Schools Autumn terms finds MTP offering a wide range of theatre productions in its newly named school programme, TheatreOpeners (formerly The London Theatre Challenge). Students at state secondary schools have a choice of productions as diverse as Talawa’s The Colored Museum at the V&A, Arthur Miller’s searing drama, Broken Glass at the Vaudeville, The Ladykillers at the Gielgud and The Wizard of Oz at the Palladium. State secondary schools with a high percentage of students on free school meals are given priority and all visits include an after-show talk with cast or crew members as well as a teachers’ resource pack.

This term, The ICAP Theatre Journeys for Special Schools offers a choice of Mamma Mia! or the panto, Cinderella, at the Hackney Empire and as always includes a free in-school workshop for each participating school group and a specially prepared teachers’ pack.

An Invitation for You If you teach at a secondary state school, please let us know if you are interested in participating in MTP programmes. We are now planning a range of education programmes for the next two terms that includes StageSeen for deaf and hard of hearing students and CompanyWise that will look at the various roles of individuals in a theatre company.

We plan to collaborate with some of London’s leading theatre companies on this new venture.

As any charity, funding for our existing and new programmes is getting more and more difficult. If you could assist in any way to support our work, we would be most grateful.

Susan Whiddington, Director

Is your school planning a Christmas Show?

Mousetrap Theatre Projects needs your support to give less fortunate young peoplean opportunity to experience the magic of theatre. We are hoping that TPC members will consider hosting collections for our charity over the Festive Season. Share the gift of theatre! For more information email elly@mousetrap.org,uk 22

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Superbreak is pleased to offer members of TPC a 10% discount on all Uk and European short breaks This includes great low prices at over 5000 hotels and discounts on a full range of London theatre and event breaks. Too see the huge range of options available to members, please visit www.superbreak.com To book call 0871 221 1199 and quote ‘Teachers’ Preview Club’ to claim savings

GROUP LINE EDUCATION Winner! Best Ticket Agent 2011 Best Ticket Agent 14 times in the last 11 years 020 7580 6793 tix@groupline.com www.groupline.com Group Line Education - official ticketing partner for Teachers Preview Club, Mousetrap Theatre Projects.

Contact us today and receive our latest Teacher’s Guide. Group Line offers the very best school group rates for top West End musicals and plays, plus teachers can go for free on selected West End shows.

Teachers’ Preview Club

MOUSETRAP THEATRE PROJECTS 23–24 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8ND T. 020 72401248 F. 020 7632 4111 E. tpc@mousetrap.org.uk www.mousetrap.org.uk Registered Charity no: 1053434

cover image: RAMBERT @ Sadlers Wells

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