Theatre in Schools Comes to Orkney

By theorkneynews on October 2, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

Two shows for children visit Orkney schools as part of Theatre in Schools Scotland’s 2018 touring programme

Theatre in Schools Scotland is touring world-class theatre and dance productions to schools and nurseries across Scotland this autumn and it is bringing two productions to Orkney from 3rd – 5th October 2018.

Martha

Martha by Catherine Wheels Theatre Company is visiting St Andrews Primary on Wed 3 Oct and Glaitness School on Thu 4 Oct with pupils in P1 – P4 from St Andrews Primary, Hope Primary, Burray Primary, Glaitness School, Stronsay Primary, Rousay Primary, Shapinsay Primary and Eday Primary attending the performances.

Martha is a warm, funny show about a stubborn and eccentric woman who lives on her own by the sea and doesn’t want any friends. But one day a mischievous goose turns up and Martha’s life is never the same again.

My Friend Selma

My Friend Selma by Terra Incognita Theatre Company is visiting Kirkwall Community Centre on Thu 4 Oct and Dounby Community School on Fri 5 October with pupils in P4 – P7 from Papdale Primary, Stronsay Primary, Shapinsay Primary, Burray Primary, Hope Primary, Dounby Community School and Stromness Primary seeing the shows.

My Friend Selma, written and performed by Victoria Beesley is the remarkable real-life story of one girl’s journey from war in Bosnia to safety in the UK. It is the tale of an incredible journey, of a world turned upside down and of loss, friendship, courage and conkers.

This is the third year that Theatre in Schools Scotland has visited Orkney and the performances are supported by local partners, Orkney Islands Council.

Antony Mottershead, OIC Arts Officer said:

“Every year we’ve worked with Theatre in Schools Scotland we’ve been astonished by what can be produced in a small school hall.

“These intimate performances allow children to get up close to professional theatre productions and performers, imaginatively designed stage sets and very clever storytelling.

“This year we have two performances that touch on contemporary themes of friendship, migration and courage that children can really connect with.”

Theatre in Schools Scotland, is a three-year pilot project touring world-class theatre and dance to Scotland’s schools. Now entering its final year, the project’s ambition is to create and test a touring and producing model that could ultimately bring one piece of high quality theatre or dance to every child in a Scottish school or nursery each year.

For 2018 it has expanded its programme and is touring seven productions with performances suitable for nurseries, primary and secondary schools (S1) in a year-round programme from April 2018 to March 2019.

The project, which launched in 2016, has been developed by Imaginate and the National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, Starcatchers and Visible Fictions. It creates ongoing opportunities for Scotland’s schools to host performances in their school halls and local communities.