SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ PROGRAMME 2018-19
WELCOME We are proud once again to present a full and wide-ranging programme that showcases the most exciting theatre from the UK and abroad, with something for students of all ages. Here at the Unicorn, it’s our mission to offer schools and families the highest quality work for the lowest possible prices. We know that education budgets are being slashed across the country, but we strongly believe every child has a right to experience the exhilaration of live theatrical performance. That is why we are proud to say that for the sixth year running, our schools’ prices remain at a standstill £10 per ticket. We do everything we can to help you bring your students to our theatre. If you’re putting creative learning at the heart of your teaching, our Unicorn Schools Club membership scheme (lower rate tickets from £7 – £8 per student) will ease the burden. And we can offer additional subsidy if you have high levels of free school meals or pupil premium funding. We want every visit to be meaningful and enriching. Free resource materials will help you introduce students to themes and ideas within the show, including interviews with the creative team and ideas for how to use drama techniques for creative exploration. Free CPD sessions will help you unpack the play and in-school workshops start from £120 a session. Try something new or unexpected with us this season – you might find that it makes you see the world in a different way… We look forward to welcoming you. The Unicorn
Visit unicorntheatre.com/schoolsprogramme or email schools@unicorntheatre.com for more information. Where we can, we also love to visit schools – let us know if you would like to meet us!
AT A GLANCE AUTUMN TERM
THE END OF EDDY
Years 12 – 13
TRUTH OR DARE…
Years 12 – 13
CHRISTMAS
PHILIP PULLMAN’S
GRIMM TALES
Years 7 and above
SPRING TERM
ICARUS
Year 7
SUMMER TERM
DIDO
Years 7 and above
AESOP’S FABLES
Year 7
AUTUMN TERM
FOR SCHOOL YEARS 12 AND 13
THE END OF EDDY A Unicorn / Untitled Projects Production
CAN WE CREATE OUR OWN FREEDOM? Based on the book En Finir Avec Eddy Bellegueule by Édouard Louis Adapted by Pamela Carter Directed by Stewart Laing ‘My crime wasn’t doing something. My crime was being something. Being different in a way everyone else could see.’ Born into poverty in an isolated village in rural France, a boy grows up amongst hard men and women living hard and violent lives. Bullied relentlessly for being gay, this is the story of Eddy’s struggle to understand who he is, who he might become, and of his fight to escape. Written when he was just 21 and combining vivid storytelling with frank reflections on sexuality, class and power, this new stage adaptation of Édouard Louis’s internationally acclaimed autobiographical novel, is filled with hope, love, lust and anger. Our free teacher resource pack offers practical ways to explore the content and form of the play, and investigates themes of identity, sexuality and class. Contains explicit sexual references and frequent strong language. Duration: Approx 1 hr 30 mins
Image © Hugo Glendinning
En Finir Avec Eddy Bellegueule Copyright © 2014, Édouard Louis All rights reserved First published by Editions du Seuil in 2014
SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES SEPTEMBER Thu 13 2pm
Fri 14 2pm Tue 18 2pm / 7pm Wed 19 7pm Thu 20 7pm Fri 21 1.30pm Tue 25 7pm Wed 26 7pm Thu 27 7pm Fri 28 1pm
OCTOBER
Tue 2 7pm Wed 3 7pm Thu 4 7pm Fri 5 2.15pm
‘A… necessary call against conventional definitions of masculinity and the fear of difference’ The Observer on the book
‘Courageous… and deeply touching’ The Guardian on the book
This show runs from 13 Sep – 6 Oct 2018. See website for full dates and times.
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT FREE TEACHER CPD DAY Thu 13 Sep 4.30 – 7pm
FREE TEACHER RESOURCES In-depth lesson plans and teaching ideas
IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS From £120 p/class
AUTUMN TERM
FOR SCHOOL YEARS 12 AND 13 A Hetpaleis and Sontag Production (Ghent) with the Unicorn, Festival Tweetakt (Utrecht) and Het Nationale Theater (The Hague)
TRUTH OR DARE, BRITNEY OR GOOFY, NACHT UND NEBEL, JESUS CHRIST OR SUPERSTAR WHOSE TRUTH? Concept and direction by Lies Pauwels The makers of The Hamilton Complex return with a new UK première direct from Antwerp. In Truth or Dare, Lies Pauwels brings together seven young adults who all have emotional or psychological vulnerabilities, three supermodels and one priest. Together we explore the demons we wrestle with, as individuals and as a world. Lies Pauwels’ work is challenging, perceptive and authentic. In this piece, she pushes the boundaries of truth just that little bit further, creating a world in which nothing is obvious, yet everything is recognisable. Duration: Approx 1 hr 50 mins
SCHOOLS PERFORMANCE OCTOBER
Fri 19 7pm
This show runs from 19 – 21 Oct 2018. See website for full dates and times.
Image Š Diego Franssens
CHRISTMAS
FOR SCHOOL YEARS 7 AND ABOVE A Unicorn Production
PHILIP PULLMAN’S
GRIMM TALES ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS... Adapted for the stage by Philip Wilson Directed by Kirsty Housley
SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES
A most delicious selection of Philip Pullman’s favourite fairy tales by The Brothers Grimm, re-told and re-worked for the Unicorn this Christmas.
Enter a world of powerful witches, enchanted forest creatures, careless parents and fearless children as they embark on adventures full of magic, gore, friendship, and bravery. But beware, these gleefully dark and much-loved tales won’t be quite what you expect… Our free teacher resource pack explores the characters and setting of these classic fairy tales and their universal themes of dark and light, fear and courage. Duration: Approx 2 hrs 10 mins (incl. interval)
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT FREE TEACHER CPD DAY Wed 10 Oct 4.30 – 7pm
FREE TEACHER RESOURCES In-depth lesson plans and teaching ideas
IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS From £120 p/class
NOVEMBER Tue 13 1pm Wed 14 11am Fri 16 10.30am Tue 20 1pm / 7pm Wed 21 1pm Thu 22 11am Fri 23 11am Tue 27 11am Wed 28 11am Thu 29 10.30am / 2.30pm Fri 30 10.30am
DECEMBER Tue 4 11am
Wed 5 11am Thu 6 10.30am / 2.30pm Fri 7 11am Tue 11 11am Wed 12 11am Thu 13 10.30am / 2.30pm Fri 14 10.30am Tue 18 11am Wed 19 11am Thu 20 10.30am / 2.30pm
This show runs from 13 Nov 2018 – 6 Jan 2019. See website for full dates and times. Captioned and Audio Described performances and Touch Tours can be booked on request.
Bring all of Year 7 to see Grimm Tales and receive a six-week scheme of learning and a teacher CPD session designed to support students’ transition into their first year of secondary school. Tickets £7.50 per student. The scheme of learning uses drama to develop students’ confidence, communication skills, self-esteem and emotional literacy, build positive relationships through collaboration, and encourage students’ own creative responses. For more information contact schools@unicorntheatre.com.
Image © Photos by Peter Schiazza, concept and artwork by Eureka!
THE YEAR 7 PROJECT
SPRING TERM
FOR SCHOOL YEAR 7
ICARUS A Unicorn Production
WHERE THE WATER ENDS AND THE SKY BEGINS, THAT’S WHERE I’LL FLY. By Katrin Lange Translated by Purni Morell Directed by Cressida Brown Here, where pleasant cottages stand colourful in the friendly village and a gentle breeze wafts through the air, children play in the square laughing and shouting – but Icarus, oldest son of the builder Daedalus, does not play with them. He sits looking out over the sea and thinks about his father. His country is in turmoil. His family is falling apart. His father, far away across the sea, is forced to work for the tyrannical King Minos. What can one boy do against injustice? Will he save his family? Will he save his father? Will he save himself? A bold, contemporary and playful take on the ancient myth. Our free teacher resource pack explores the character of Icarus, and the closely related and well-known myths of King Minos and the Minotaur. Duration: Approx 1 hr 15 mins
SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES JANUARY
Tue 29 11am Wed 30 10.30am
FEBRUARY Fri 1
MARCH
11am Tue 5 1pm / 7pm Wed 6 1pm Thu 7 10.15am / 1.45pm Fri 8 11am Tue 12 10.30am / 2pm Wed 13 10.45am Thu 14 10.30am / 1.45pm Fri 15 11am Tue 26 10.30am / 2pm Wed 27 10.45am Thu 28 10.30am / 1.45pm Fri 1 11am Tue 5 10.30am / 2pm Wed 6 10.45am Thu 7 10.30am / 1.45pm Fri 8 11am
This show runs from 26 Jan – 10 Mar 2019. See website for full dates and times.
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT FREE TEACHER CPD DAY Fri 30 Nov 10am – 4pm
FREE TEACHER RESOURCES In-depth lesson plans and teaching ideas
IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS From £120 p/class
Audio Described performances and Touch Tours can be booked on request.
Image Š Peter Schiazza
SUMMER TERM
FOR SCHOOL YEARS 7 AND ABOVE
DIDO A Unicorn / English National Opera Production
PURCELL’S DIDO AND AENEAS, RE-IMAGINED FOR THE MODERN AGE.
Directed by Purni Morell Conducted by Valentina Peleggi English National Opera and the Unicorn join forces for the very first time to create a new production of Purcell’s powerful and emotional masterpiece, Dido and Aeneas, for teenagers and adults.
Directed by the Unicorn’s former Artistic Director Purni Morell and conducted by ENO’s Valentina Peleggi, this contemporary production will be an incredible first experience for some, and for others a chance to see a familiar and much-loved opera in a new light.
Duration: Approx 1 hr 15 mins Sung in English
SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES MAY
Tue 14 7pm Wed 15 1.30pm Thu 16 2pm / 7pm Tue 21 2pm Wed 22 1.30pm Thu 23 7pm
This show runs from 11 May - 2 June 2019. See website for full dates and times.
Photo by Hugo Glendinnging
Belinda is the only child of Dido. A teenager like any other, in a big city. We watch through her eyes as her mother – heroine, feminist icon, modern parent – slowly starts to fall apart, with tragic consequences.
SUMMER TERM
FOR SCHOOL YEAR 7
AESOP’S FABLES A Unicorn Production
ALL THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS ARE AMBIGUOUS.
Directed by Justin Audibert
SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES FOR YEAR 7
As far as we know, Aesop was a slave and storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 564 BC. But although we don’t know much about the man himself, we do still have over 725 of his stories – passed down from generation to generation.
JUNE Fri 21
We considered doing all 725 fables and then thought better of it. What we’ve done instead is asked a few of our favourite writers to select one fable and to re-tell it for today’s audience. We're presenting two versions of the results: one for younger children and one for older children. Accompanied by events and workshops, this is a celebration of young and old, ancient and new – a tribute to how fresh, bold and vibrant the classics remain today.
10.30am Tue 25 1.45pm Wed 26 11am Thu 27 7pm
JULY Tue 2
Wed 3 Thu 4 Tue 9 Wed 10 Thu 11 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Tue 23
10.30am 11am 1.30pm 1.30pm 11am 10.30am 10.30am 1.30pm 10.30am 1.30pm
This show runs from 21 June – 3 Aug 2019. See website for full dates and times.
Our free teacher resource pack explores the themes and ideas contained within the original text and the writers' responses to the fables. Duration: Approx 1 hr
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT FREE TEACHER CPD DAY Mon 20 May 10am – 4pm
FREE TEACHER RESOURCES
Image © Peter Schiazza
In-depth lesson plans and teaching ideas
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT IN-SCHOOL DRAMA WORKSHOPS Led by our experienced practitioners, in-school drama workshops give students a practical and experiential introduction to the ideas, themes or characters in the show. Workshops available for The End of Eddy, Grimm Tales and Icarus.
‘The workshop was brilliant and the practitioner really engaged with our students! They can’t wait to see the play next week.’ Teacher
POST-SHOW
INSIGHTS
Find out more about the show and the creative team in a post-show Q&A with members of the company. Insights are free, look for the on the show page or contact us if you are interested in booking an insight for an alternative performance.
‘The level of questioning and debate that came out of it was fantastic.’ Teacher
TEACHER CPD Our CPD sessions are free and provide ideas and inspiration for teachers who wish to explore the plays practically and in more depth back in the classroom. CPD supports specialist drama teaching at Key stages 3, 4 and 5 as well as being useful for teachers from across a range of other subjects. There are sessions for Grimm Tales, Icarus, The End Of Eddy and Aesop’s Fables.
BACKSTAGE
TOURS Explore what’s happening backstage and find out what really goes into making a play.
Can be booked pre- or postshow, or as a stand-alone event.
RESOURCE
PACKS Resources include interviews with the creative teams, a context for the play and flexible schemes of work that can be used in Drama lessons or adapted for other subjects.
We are creating resource packs for The End of Eddy, Grimm Tales, Icarus and Aesop's Fables. You can download free resources from: unicorntheatre.com/secondary-schools
‘These resources help keep the production live in my mind and in the minds of the students, but also offer a firm pathway for us to evaluate and understand the show.’ Teacher
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMMES THE YEAR 7 PROJECT
COLLABORATE
Bring all of Year 7 to see Grimm Tales and receive a six-week scheme of learning and teacher CPD session designed to support students’ transition into their first year of secondary school. Tickets £7.50 per student.
A year-long partnership with one secondary school that gives teachers and students unparalleled access to theatre and opportunities to work with professional theatre makers.
The scheme of learning uses drama to develop students’ confidence, communication skills, self-esteem and emotional literacy, build positive relationships through collaboration, and encourage students’ own creative responses. For more information contact schools@unicorntheatre.com.
We recruit new schools for Collaborate annually. To find out more email schools@unicorntheatre.com.
‘Feedback from students and staff has been outstanding. One particular boy, who rarely leaves his local area, asked when we would be going to the theatre again.’ COLLABORATE teacher
UNICORN SCHOOLS CLUB A membership scheme to support schools in focusing on creative learning across year groups. Membership means you can book more theatre visits for more students at a cheaper rate, plan a whole year of activity in one go, and take part in regular CPD training around shows so you can enrich every visit. We also offer additional free tickets to parents who assist on trips, offer all teachers a free coffee on arrival to keep you going, and we’ll send you a web logo and certificate so you can celebrate this new partnership with supporters. See the back page or visit our website for further details.
SEE IT FIRST FREE TEACHER
EVENT Tue 20 Nov, 5.15pm
(includes tickets to Grimm Tales press performance at 7pm) Join us for wine, cheese and a short talk about all our new productions and Schools’ Programme, before watching the show at 7pm. Free, booking required.
FREE PRESS NIGHT
TICKETS FOR TEACHERS Come and watch one of our evening shows with colleagues or friends and stay for the press night party afterwards. The End of Eddy Tue 18 Sep, 7pm Grimm Tales Tue 20 Nov, 7pm Icarus Tue 5 Feb, 7pm Dido Tue 14 May, 7pm Aesop’s Fables Thu 27 Jun, 7pm Two free tickets per school, subject to availability.
To book, email schools@unicorntheatre.com with the name and postcode of your school.
ABOUT YOUR VISIT Our theatre was built with young people in mind, and it is important to us that we offer a space in which they feel welcome and important. We actively encourage our audiences to laugh, respond, clap and cheer during our shows – so please don’t feel that your students have to watch the show in silence. In fact we encourage the opposite and want them to feel this is their space where they get to make some of the rules. There are only three things we ask in the auditorium (of everyone): Please: no photos, no phones, no food. You can find answers to frequently asked questions and a risk assessment form on our website, but if you have any questions or specific requirements we are always happy to discuss them with you.
ACCESS ‘I was really impressed with how the theatre supported my pupils with ASD… Seeing how they enjoyed themselves in the theatre was one of the highlights of my school year.’ Teacher, Garrett Park SEN School At the Unicorn we have offered a regular programme of accessible performances since we opened in 2005. There are additional accessible performances on weekends and over holiday periods; please visit our website for further details. For more information or for specific requests regarding access visit the website, email schools@unicorntheatre.com or call the Box Office.
Relaxed Performances are open to everyone but focus on supporting those on the autism spectrum and those with learning disabilities, sensory or communication disorders. We offer support material for each show and a personal access usher during your visit.
Grimm Tales Fri 7 Dec, 11am
Icarus Wed 27 Feb, 10.45am
Live Captioning Please contact us if your school or group is interested in a Live Captioned performance of Grimm Tales. Pre-Show Touch Tours offer a chance for those with visual impairments to explore the set, costumes and props. Please contact us if your school or group is interested in a Pre-Show Touch Tour for Grimm Tales or Icarus.
Aesop’s Fables Wed 17 Jul, 1.30pm Audio Described are for those with visual impairments. Please contact us if your school or group is interested in an Audio Described performance of Grimm Tales or Icarus.
There is an infra-red Sennheiser system in both theatres for sound amplification. There is wheelchair access throughout the building and a wheelchair accessible lift to all floors.
For more information or for specific requests regarding access visit the website, email schools@unicorntheatre.com or call the Box Office.
HOW TO BOOK Call us on 020 7645 0560 or complete an online booking form at unicorntheatre.com/secondary-schools. To book workshops and CPD, or to discuss any aspect of our Schools’ Programme, call us on 020 7645 0544 or email schools@unicorntheatre.com.
TICKETS
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT
The Unicorn Theatre is a registered charity and we need to raise £500,000 every year in order to keep our doors open to you. We ensure that our theatre is accessible to everyone and subsidise all our tickets, in part thanks to generous funding by The McGrath Trust who support thousands of school visits every year.
• BOOK A PLACE ON THE ACCOMPANYING TEACHER CPD DAY FREE
£10 per student
STATE SCHOOL PRICES 1 teacher FREE per 10 tickets booked
£10 per student £8.50 per student if you book two or more shows before 31 July 2018
UNICORN SCHOOLS CLUB This scheme offers a further reduction in prices for schools who want to emphasise creative learning across year groups. Membership is available to state schools who book 100 or more student tickets to two or more shows, and send at least one teacher to each CPD day.
£8 per student: 100 – 200 tickets £7.50 per student: 201 – 500 tickets £7 per student: 501+ tickets Plus 1 free teacher ticket per 10 student tickets booked. Additional benefits include extra free tickets for parents to accompany school trips, free coffees for teachers, raffle prizes for fundraising events and a certificate and logo for use on your website. Visit unicorntheatre.com/secondary-schools for full details.
SUBSIDISED TICKETS Thanks to The McGrath Trust we are able to offer further support to state schools who are unable to visit us for financial reasons. To find out more, please contact us on 020 7645 0544 or email schools@unicorntheatre.com.
• ADD A BACKSTAGE TOUR From £2 per student (price varies on group size) • ATTEND A POST-SHOW INSIGHT FREE
HOW TO FIND US Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ London Bridge (5 – 10 minutes’ walk) Coach drop-off is available at Tooley Street. There is also coach parking available at Southwark Street and Tower Hill.
UNICORNTHEATRE.COM UNICORN_SCHOOLS UNICORNTHEATRE UNICORNTHEATRE UNICORN_THEATRE
Design: Eureka! (eureka.co.uk)
1 teacher FREE per 10 tickets booked
• BOOK AN IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOP £120 per class (state schools) £220 per class (independent schools)
Registered charity No. 225751
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PRICES
• DOWNLOAD TEACHER RESOURCES FREE