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SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ PROGRAMME 2015-16
WELCOME We are extremely proud to be London’s premiere venue for schools.
SEE IT FIRST MARTYR TEACHERS’ EVENT – THU 17 SEP, 5PM
This year we bring you new work from leading modern dramatists, including Martyr by Marius von Mayenburg, directed by Ramin Gray and co-produced with Actors Touring Company, which tackles the difficult subject of religious fundamentalism, the limits of liberal tolerance and the complex relationship between students, teachers and parents. In spring we present My Father, Odysseus by Timberlake Wertenbaker, whom we’re extremely excited to have with us this season. Both plays ask questions about how we can understand each other better and what, if anything, we should fight for, with intelligence, provocation and humour.
(includes tickets to press night of Martyr at 7pm) Join us for an evening of wine, cheese and theatre and hear about our exciting new season of shows from Artistic Director, Purni Morell. Then stay and watch the press night performance of our brand new play Martyr at 7pm (for students in Year 10+). Free, booking required.
We also offer plenty of opportunities to enhance your students’ understanding of and response to our productions so that their visit is meaningful, inspiring and long-lasting. We also want to make your visit to us as easy and as straightforward as possible so we have a range of discounts to suit your budget and are more than happy to discuss any additional needs and requirements that you may have.
To book, email schools@unicorntheatre.com with the name and postcode of your school.
FREE PRESS NIGHT TICKETS FOR TEACHERS: BADDIES: THE MUSICAL – TUE 10 NOV, 7PM MY FATHER, ODYSSEUS – THU 17 MAR, 7PM 2 free tickets per school, subject to availability.
New for this season is The Year 7 Project, which is specifically tailored to supporting students in their first year of secondary school. See the My Father, Odysseus page to find out how to get involved. We look forward to welcoming you and your students to the Unicorn. Purni Morell Artistic Director, Unicorn Theatre
RECENT AWARDS WINNER: Peter Brook Empty Space Award 2014
‘The Unicorn is my top choice for theatre for young people as it is an environment where I know they are valued and respected. It really helps to build our students’ confidence in attending theatre.’ Drama teacher, 2015
WINNER: Writers’ Guild Award 2014 Girls Like That by Evan Placey
NOMINATION: The Stage London Theatre of the Year 2015
NOMINATION: Off West End Awards 2015 Best Production The Caucasian Chalk Circle
‘Another triumph for the Unicorn which, under Purni Morell, is making a real mark on the theatrical map.’ Guardian
‘I struggle to see why I would take students anywhere other than the Unicorn as the productions are always so inventive and fit so well with examination requirements, without being limited by them.’ Drama teacher, 2015
‘Ambitious programming from the Unicorn Theatre, which continues to fire on all cylinders.’ Daily Telegraph
AUTUMN TERM
AUTUMN TERM
For School Years 10+ A Unicorn / Actors Touring Company production
MARTYR
HOW FAR WILL YOU GO FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE? By Marius von Mayenburg Translated by Maja Zade Directed by Ramin Gray Benjamin won’t do swimming at school. His mum thinks he’s on drugs or has body issues. But Benjamin has found God and mixed-sex swimming lessons offend him. Fundamentalism and tolerance clash in this funny, provocative play by leading German playwright, Marius von Mayenburg. Martyr considers how far we should go in accommodating another’s faith, and when we should take a stand for our own opposing beliefs. This topical production follows Actors Touring Company’s highly acclaimed The Events, seen at the Young Vic last year. Contains strong language and nudity. Duration: Approx 1 hr 40 mins (no interval)
PERFORMANCE DIARY SEPTEMBER Tue 15 7pm
Wed 16 7pm Thu 17 7pm Fri 18 7pm Tue 22 7pm Wed 23 2pm / 7pm Thu 24 2pm / 7pm Fri 25 7pm Tue 29 2pm / 7pm Wed 30 7pm
OCTOBER
Thu 1 Fri 2 Tue 6 Wed 7 Thu 8 Fri 9
2pm / 7pm 7pm 7pm 2pm / 7pm 2pm / 7pm 7pm
‘It’s exciting to approach a difficult subject like the rise of fundamentalism through the theatre – because theatre is by its nature a form that encourages plurality of views and exchange of perspective so vital to the fabric of civic society.’ Purni Morell Artistic Director, Unicorn Theatre
‘Like any good play it asks the question, ‘where do you draw the line?’ And everyone will draw the line somewhere different; everyone has a different limit. And that’s what this play offers us, a whole range of people drawing their lines in different places.’ Director, Ramin Gray
‘I wanted to talk about religious fundamentalism in general. Therefore I needed to show things that religions have in common once they are used as an ideology to attack other people … I wanted to show that you can take the bible and make it the source of an extremist ideology that deeply contradicts our democratic values.’ Writer, Marius von Mayenburg
Download the Martyr resource pack to find out more.
For School Years 3 – 8
PERFORMANCE DIARY
A Unicorn production
NOVEMBER Tue 3 1pm
FAIRYTALE VILLAINS AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE...
BADDIES: THE MUSICAL Book and Lyrics by Nancy Harris Music and Lyrics by Marc Teitler Story by Nancy Harris and Marc Teitler Directed by Purni Morell Sure, I eat people’s grandmothers once in a while, but that doesn’t make me a bad person… it makes me a good villain. So you think that being bad is wrong? Think again. In fact, it’s actually fine – and absolutely necessary if that’s your job. Which it is for the likes of the Big Bad Wolf and Captain Hook. Thing is, how do you know who is really good at being bad and who is really bad at being good? Sometimes it’s a little hard to tell… Step into the real lives of the fairytales’ most villainous characters in this sublimely entertaining, larger-than-life new musical that features live music onstage.
Wed 4 1pm Thu 5 1pm Tue 10 1pm / 7pm Wed 11 1pm Thu 12 10.30am Tue 17 10.30am Wed 18 10.30am Thu 19 2pm or 7pm Fri 20 10.30am Tue 24 10.30am / 2pm Wed 25 10.30am Thu 26 7pm Fri 27 10.30am
DECEMBER Wed 2 1pm
Thu 3 11am Fri 4 11am Tue 8 10.30am Wed 9 10.30am Thu 10 10.30am / 2pm Fri 11 7pm Tue 15 11am Wed 16 11am Thu 17 10.30am / 2pm
Perfect for a Christmas treat trip.
TEACHER CPD
Wed 16 Sep, 4.30-7pm (free)
RESOURCE PACK WITH SCHEME OF WORK (free) IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS (£120 p/group)
Duration: Approx 2 hours (including an interval)
TEACHER CPD
Wed 7 Oct, 4.30- 7pm (free)
RESOURCE PACK (free) IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS (£120 p/group)
DANCE AT THE UNICORN
SPRING TERM
This autumn we’re proud to present an exciting range of dance pieces from internationally acclaimed performers and choreographers. These shows are perfect for teachers wanting to inspire and challenge their dance students, or who would like to give younger students a memorable introduction to different styles and techniques.
For School Years 7+ A Unicorn production
MY FATHER, ODYSSEUS I WANT TO GO HOME. By Timberlake Wertenbaker Directed by Serdar Bilis Telemachus’ father left long ago to fight a war. He doesn’t remember him. Now the man of the house, he must step up to defend his father’s legacy and protect his mother from the suitors that lounge around the court. Meanwhile, the great Odysseus has been trapped by the goddess Kalypso for ten long years. Lost in his memories of past glories he longs to return home.
For School Years 6+
For Year 7+
Kabinet K (Belgium)
Unicorn and Dance Umbrella present
RAW
DANCE UMBRELLA: UNPLUGGED
IT ISN’T THE END YET. Raw is a dance piece about playing, dreaming and pretending. It’s about being a child, which can be difficult. It’s about growing up in a world that’s too huge and chaotic to fully comprehend. And it’s about the grownups who look after us who often seem distant and unfathomable. Kabinet K come to London for the first time with this energetic and extraordinary dance piece, performed by children and adults, in which we look unflinchingly at what the world looks like through the other’s eyes. Duration: Approx 1 hr
PERFORMANCE DIARY OCTOBER Fri 16
Sat 17
7pm 3pm / 7pm
This timeless Greek myth has been reinvented by extraordinary playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker to create a modern, rich and powerful new work about a son searching for his father and a father searching for himself that explores masculinity and the effects of war.
FOUR INCREDIBLE ACTS OVER TWO DAYS.
Duration: Approx 1 hr 15 mins
We’ve handpicked two incredible and contrasting double bills that are perfect for young people.
PERFORMANCE DIARY
On Saturday Lisbeth Gruwez explores laughter in a burst of dance anarchy while Dan Canham’s new work re-imagines folk dance for the 21st century.
On Sunday Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy presents work inspired by India’s chaotic urbanisation, followed by hip hop from Tony Adigun’s Avant Garde Dance, who have performed around the world and with artists like Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Usher.
MARCH
APRIL
Tue 15 1.15pm Thu 17 1.15pm / 7pm Fri 18 11am Tue 22 10.30am / 2pm Wed 23 2pm / 7pm Thu 24 10.30am Tue 5 2pm /7pm Wed 6 2pm / 7pm Thu 7 2pm / 7pm Fri 8 2pm
Duration: Approx 1 hr 30 mins
PERFORMANCE DIARY OCTOBER Sat 24 3pm
Sun 25 3pm
Why not encourage your students to visit us independently? Young people are always welcome to visit without teachers or adults. Under 18s tickets are £10 and can be booked online or over the phone.
TEACHER CPD
Tue 26 Jan, 4.30-7pm (free)
RESOURCE PACK WITH SCHEME OF WORK (free) IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS (£120 p/group)
THE YEAR 7 PROJECT Our Year 7 Project uses a whole year-group visit to see My Father, Odysseus with an accompanying scheme of work to support students in their transition into the first year of secondary school. The project will provide a meaningful context for learning and will use drama approaches to: • develop students’ confidence, communication, self-esteem and emotional literacy; • build positive relationships between peers through group work and collaboration; • encourage imaginative engagement and students’ own creative responses. Developed with Jonothan Neelands (Professor of Creative Education, University of Warwick) and consultant teachers, the scheme can be adapted for use in the Drama, English or PSHE curriculums.
For more information contact schools@unicorntheatre.com
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT IN-SCHOOL
TEACHER CPD
‘An extremely useful and thoughtprovoking session. Everything was very engaging, clear and easy to adapt for various year groups and abilities.’
Twilight teacher-training sessions offering inspiration and support for exploring productions back at school. Find out about the creative processes behind the show, work through practical drama activities that open up the play and link it to the KS3/4/5 Drama and English frameworks. We are running sessions for: Martyr, Baddies: the Musical and My Father, Odysseus. See show pages for dates.
WORKSHOPS
Drama teacher, 2015
BACKSTAGE
A practical and experiential introduction to the ideas, themes and characters in the show, led by our experienced practitioners in your school. £120 p/group. Workshops available for: Martyr, Baddies: the Musical and My Father, Odysseus.
‘You should see how much progress their practical work has made – I have a student whose work has gone from grade E to B based on the inspiration of this show!’
TOURS Explore what’s happening backstage and find out what really goes into making a play.
Can be booked pre or post-show, or as a stand-alone event.
Drama teacher, 2015
RESOURCE PACKS Created with students and staff at our partner school, our in-depth resource packs contain interviews with the creative teams, a context for the play and flexible dramabased schemes of work that are designed to deepen students’ engagement with the theatre experience before and after your visit. You can download 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.’ Drama teacher, 2015
POST-SHOW INSIGHTS Find out more about the show and the creative team in a free post-show Q&A with members of the company. Look for the symbol in the brochure or contact us to arrange an insight for another date.
THE YEAR 7
PROJECT
This new project developed specifically for Year 7s around spring term show My Father, Odysseus focuses on providing meaningful opportunities for reflection, collaboration and creativity, as well developing students’ confidence, communication, self-esteem and emotional literacy. See My Father, Odysseus page for more information.
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMMES EXPLORE
COLLABORATE
An in-depth programme for schools in the outer boroughs of London that works with the same students over three years (school years 7, 8 & 9). EXPLORE unlocks the rich potential for learning that is offered through a trip to the theatre and aims to develop confident, interested and articulate theatre-goers.
A year-long partnership between the Unicorn and one primary school. Pupils see all productions over the year, take part in projects in school and work with Unicorn staff to develop new learning materials. COLLABORATE is a unique opportunity to place a whole school focus on theatre and creative learning.
‘Feedback from pupils and staff has been outstanding. One particular boy, who rarely leaves his local area, asked when we would be going to the theatre again. It is so rare that these pupils have the opportunity to be involved in projects that take them out of their comfort zone.’ Teacher, 2015 We recruit new schools for our partnership programmes annually, every May. To find out more email schools@unicorntheatre.com
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 – we want to create a space that is different from school, where the normal rules are bent just that little bit. So please don’t feel 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: No photos No phones No food We particularly ask that teachers stick to these rules too, so that you can watch and enjoy the show with your students. You can find answers to frequently asked questions and a risk assessment and ice cream order form on our website, but if you have any questions or specific requirements we are always happy to discuss them with you.
ACCESS At the Unicorn we strive to offer shows that are accessible to everyone.
Relaxed Performances are open to everyone but focus on supporting those on the autism spectrum and those with learning disabilities, sensory or communication disorders. A visual story will also be available. Baddies: the Musical Fri 20 Nov, 10.30am Integrated Sign-Language Performances (ISIP) are suitable for BSL users. Baddies: the Musical Thu 26 Nov, 7pm Tue 15 Dec, 11am Live Audio Description and pre-show touch tours supports those with visual impairments. Baddies: the Musical Thu 19 Nov, 7pm Martyr Thu 24 Sep, 7pm My Father, Odysseus Wed 23 Mar, 7pm
Live Captioning assists those who have hearing impairments or would benefit from reading the dialogue along with the action. Martyr Tue 6 Oct, 7pm Baddies: the Musical Thu 3 Dec, 11am 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 access@unicorntheatre.com or call the Box Office.
HOW TO BOOK To book tickets call the Box Office on 020 7645 0560 or download a booking form on the schools’ section of the website at unicorntheatre.com. To discuss any aspect of our schools’ programme, book workshops and teacher CPD or to join our teachers’ mailing list, contact Schools’ Relationship Manager, Ella Macfadyen, on 020 7645 0544 or schools@unicorntheatre.com. If you would like more information about making a visit to the Unicorn, download the Useful Info For Schools document from our website.
TICKETS STANDARD TICKET PRICE £10 per student (1 teacher FREE per 10 tickets booked)
EARLY BIRD OFFER £7.50 per ticket if you book for 2 different shows before 31 Jul 2015.
MULTI-SHOW OFFER £8.50 per ticket if you book for 2 different shows from 1 Aug 2015.
ENHANCE YOUR VISIT • BOOK A PLACE ON OUR TEACHER CPD DAY* FREE • DOWNLOAD ACCOMPANYING RESOURCES FOR CLASSROOM USE* FREE • BOOK AN IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOP* £120 per class • ADD A BACKSTAGE TOUR £1 per pupil
(£3 per student if booking as a stand-alone event)
*for selected shows
SUBSIDISED TICKETS Thanks to generous funding from The McGrath Trust, we are able to offer fully or partly subsidised tickets to schools who are unable to visit us for financial or other reasons.
HOW TO FIND US Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ
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Registered charity No. 225751
Coach parking is available at Tooley St. The coach bays provide a safe, riverside meeting place for groups that is close to HMS Belfast. There is also coach parking available at Southwark St and Tower Hill.
Cover images: Hugo Glendinning Design: Eureka! (eureka.co.uk)
London Bridge (5 – 10 minutes’ walk)
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