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Discover your history.
Runs to 30 April 2010
Following on from the huge success of The Boat Factory in six Primary Schools in Belfast and surrounding areas during 2009, two new plays from the Pat and Plain series by Dan Gordon were presented during March and April 2010 by twelve Primary Schools across Northern Ireland.
The Pat & Plain series, commissioned by the Ulster-Scots Agency and co-funded by the Agency, Lyric Theatre and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland involved workshops being held over a 10 week period in the chosen primary schools which led up to the production of a series of twelve plays. This year the primary schools focused on one of two themes – the Blitz and the Linen industry.
Michael McCullough, Ulster-Scots Agency Director of Corporate Services said “The plays provide an opportunity for children to learn more about their history, culture and heritage, along with some familiar Ulster-Scots words and phrases, in an energetic and fun production. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the schools, their pupils and teachers for making this project such a huge success for the Agency and its funding partners.”
The project, which is targeted at Key Stage 2 pupils forms part of the Lyric Theatre’s education and outreach project with primary schools. The project supports teachers in encouraging children to plan and produce a play following a professional theatre company model. It is structured either as an after-school activity or a stimulating framework through which to deliver the curriculum.
Philip Crawford, The Lyric’s Project Director, said: “We want to promote the idea that acting is a craft, involving skills that need to be practised and honed. The children are encouraged to follow the model of a theatre company, exploring all aspects of production from performance and design to marketing issues and the management of a budget.”
Participating schools were given fifteen sessions with a theatre practitioner mentor and opportunities to consult with costume, set and lighting designers. Together these various elements of theatre production harness the talent and imagination of the children, not only in acting and technical work, but in marketing, design, research and managing a budget.
Richard Croxford, Artistic Director, Lyric Theatre said “Education is at the heart of our work and we are delighted to collaborate with the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Arts Council to bring this opportunity to Primary School children across Northern Ireland.”
On Monday 22 March, 2010, Dan Gordon’s play based on the linen industry; ‘Kissing the Shuttle’ was officially launched at Fountain Primary School, Londonderry. School staff, parents and invited guests, including Author Dan Gordon, Project Director Philip Crawford, former Agency Board member Alistair Simpson, Agency Director of Language and Education Jim Millar, Agency Director of Corporate Services and Agency Development Officers Derek Reaney and Maynard Hanna, joined together to see the school children present the play.
Kissing the Shuttle…for 13 year olds Katy, Marie, Sadie & Hetty it’s their first day as full-timers in the mill. Woken at half past five by the Rapper-up, they make it past the Timekeeper and the new Foreman before meeting their Doffing Mistress, Lizzie Longley. As they take new doffer, Agnes Roberts, under their wing we get a fascinating insight into the lives of the 90,000 men and women who worked in the Mills of Ulster.
Other Primary Schools presenting Kissing the Shuttle included:
· Culcrow Primary School, Aghadowey, Ballymoney
· Derryboy Primary School, Killyleagh
· Edenbrooke Primary School, Belfast
On Thursday 25 March 2010, Meadowbridge Primary School, Hillsborough launched Dan Gordon’s play based on the Blitz; ‘A Lemonade Bottle for Clabberin’ Hitler’ in front of school staff, parents and invited guests, including The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Allan Ewart, Minister Edwin Poots MLA, Author Dan Gordon, Project Director, Philip Crawford, Ulster-Scots Agency Interim Chief Executive, Hazel Campbell, Ulster-Scots Agency Director of Corporate Services, Michael McCullough and the Lyric Theatre’s Chief Executive Ciaran McAuley among others.
A Lemonade Bottle for Clabberin’ Hitler…it’s 1939 and in Belfast, neighbours Aggie and Maggie hear the Prime Minister announce that the country is at war with Germany. As the politicians debate the issue in Stormont, citizens like wee Hughie Speers have their own ideas on defence! It’s business as usual, as children continue going to school and play games in the street, but everyone must learn to cope with blackouts, sirens, gas masks & rations. Then, in 1941, the city is devastated as the threat of attack becomes reality.
Other Primary Schools presenting A Lemonade Bottle for Clabberin’ Hitler included:
· Beechfield Primary School, Belfast
· Braniel Primary School, Belfast
· Brookeborough Primary School, Enniskillen
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